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DOLE transfers suspended labor attaché in Saudi Arabia
MANILA – Suspended labor attaché Nasser Mustafa in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia has been transferred to another post, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) said on Friday.
“However, in the spirit of cooperation and due courtesies, the Department has decided to transfer Labatt Mustafa to another Post,” Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III said in a letter dated Jan. 7 sent to Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr.
However, the letter did not reveal the new assignment of Mustafa.
At the same time, Bello requested that Mustafa be allowed to return to Riyadh to be able to conclude his official functions.
“May we thus request the immediate revocation of the cancellation of his exit/re-entry visa for him to return to Post to wind-up his official functions and personal affairs in Riyadh,” he added.
On the other hand, Bello supported the legal action taken by Mustafa against his accusers.
“Labor Attaché Mustafa filed the libel case against the Mayores couple in his capacity as a private citizen to defend his right and dignity since both complainants have resorted to maligning his reputation with their malicious imputations through trial by publicity. A case of illegal recruitment was also filed in the call of his sworn duty in protecting the OFWs from illegal recruitment activities of the Mayores couple. May we likewise clarify that upon submitting his counter affidavit, Labor Attache Mustafa has requested an audience with the Ambassador along with the complainants to settle the conflict at his level but the request has been denied,” he said.
He added that Mustafa initiated the legal action to protect the welfare of OFWs in the kingdom who are potential victims of illegal recruitment
“Such act supports the Philippine government’s commitment to protecting its nationals in the Kingdom. Given the aforesaid, the Department finds no compelling reason for the recall of Labor Attache Mustafa as well as the imposition of his preventive suspension,” Bello added.
Bello also believed that the preventive suspension on the POLO official has no legal basis since the complaints filed against him have been dismissed.
“Based on the findings and recommendations of the Department’s Legal Service who conducted a thorough review on the complaints submitted by the Mayores couple and evidence presented by both parties, there is no substantial evidence to prove the charges against Labatt Mustafa. Thus, our Legal Service recommended the dismissal of the complaint. The same was affirmed by the Undersecretary for Legal and International Affairs Cluster and subsequently, the undersigned,” Bello said.
Considering that there is no pending investigation to discuss as the complaint against Mustafa was already dismissed, Bello said “there is no longer any reason nor legal basis for him to be placed under preventive suspension”.
In October, Filipino spouses Herbert and Aireen Mayores filed complaints of corruption and sexual harassment against Mustafa.
Philippine Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Adnan Alonto suspended the labor attaché for filing a cyber libel complaint against the couple.
Ferdinand Patinio
