PRRD’s Kuwait visit depends on Emir’s availability

In his previous speeches, Duterte repeatedly mentioned his plan to visit Kuwait to personally thank the Gulf state officials for signing an agreement seeking to provide protection for the Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs).RICHARD MADELO/PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO

MANILA – President Rodrigo Duterte’s plan to visit Kuwait will depend on the availability of Emir of the Gulf State, Special Assistant to the President (SAP) Christopher “Bong” Go said on Wednesday.

“It will depend on the availability of the Emir,” Go said in a text message to Palace reporters.

He said Kuwait’s Emir Shaikh Sabah Al Ahmad Al Jaber Al Sabah might be available by October.

In his previous speeches, Duterte repeatedly mentioned his plan to visit Kuwait to personally thank the Gulf state officials for signing an agreement seeking to provide protection for the Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs).

The memorandum of understanding was signed by the officials of both the Philippines and Kuwait last May, assuring the Filipino domestic workers with one-day off each week, food, health insurance, non-confiscation of passport, use of cellphones and legal assistance.

Duterte sought for the signing of the MOU following a series of abuses and death of the OFWs, including Joanna Demafelis whose body was found in a freezer in an abandoned apartment unit of her employers.

With the help of the Kuwaiti government, Demafelis’ Lebanese employer and his Syrian wife were sentenced to death.

There are more than 250,000 Filipinos living and working in Kuwait.