PH protests Kuwait’s decision to evict PH envoy

The Philippines on Thursday, April 26, handed a diplomatic note to the Kuwait relaying its “strong surprise and great displeasure” over the latter’s decision to declare Philippine Ambassador Renato Villa as “persona non grata.” (PTV photo)

The Philippines on Thursday, April 26, handed a diplomatic note to Kuwait relaying its “strong surprise and great displeasure” over the latter’s decision to declare Philippine Ambassador Renato Villa as “persona non grata.”

In its statement sent to media on Thursday afternoon, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said it “has summoned Kuwaiti Ambassador Musaed Saleh Ahmad Althwaikh but was informed by the Embassy of the State of Kuwait in Manila that he has been recalled to his capital for consultations.”

“The Department served a diplomatic note to the Embassy of Kuwait conveying its strong surprise and great displeasure over the declaration of Ambassador Renato Pedro Villa as persona non grata; the continued detention of 4 Filipinos hired by the Philippine Embassy; and the issuance of arrest warrants against 3 diplomatic personnel,” it added.

Kuwait expelled Villa on Wednesday, April 26, following the Philippine Embassy in Kuwait’s rescue of distressed Filipino domestic workers from Kuwaiti households. The Philippine envoy was asked to return home in a week.

These acts, the DFA believed, are “inconsistent” with the assurances and representations made by Kuwaiti Ambassador when he met with Foreign Affairs Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano on April 24 in Manila.

The department also stressed that Althwaikh had assured Cayetano that Villa is “welcome to stay in Kuwait until the end of his tour of duty” and that the Kuwaiti government “likes” the Philippine envoy very much.

“Given the current circumstances, the Department conveyed its wish to be clarified on the actions to be taken by the Government of Kuwait on the assurances given by the Ambassador to the Secretary,” the DFA said.

In the same meeting, the Kuwaiti Ambassador also committed to measures which will immediately address the urgent requests by Filipinos including strengthening of the Government of Kuwait’s 24/7 hotline for quick response for assistance by OFWs, establishing additional centers or shelters, and formulating mechanisms to ensure better and efficient coordination between the Philippine Embassy and Kuwaiti authorities.

The Philippines reiterated that the protection of the rights and the promotion of the welfare of Filipinos working abroad “would always be the guiding principle of the Philippines in its relationship with countries around the world, including Kuwait.

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Kuwait condemned the Philippine Embassy for its “flagrant and grave breach of rules and regulations that govern diplomatic action, where staff helped Filipina house helpers run away,” according to state-run Kuwait News Agency (KUNA) report.

The Philippine government has since apologized to Kuwait for its act, assuring the former that it
“will follow their laws and that we will respect Kuwaiti sovereignty and uphold the dignity of their state by acting within the bounds of law and international law.”