DAVAO CITY, Philippines —— The government of Kuwait wants Philippine Ambassador to Kuwait Renato Villa out in seven days, this, as they plan to recall their Ambassador in Manila.
The KUNA News Agency, a government-run news agency of Kuwait, on Thursday, April 25, reported that the government want Villa out after the controversial rescue of an abused Overseas Filipino Worker (OFW), which according to them was not in accordance with the diplomatic protocol.
The announcement came after the Kuwait government twice summoned Villa after a report quoted him to have said, that they will rescue abused domestic helpers if Kuwaiti authorities wouldn’t act in 24 hours.
Villa was reported to have issued a public apology but it did not appease the government of Kuwait.
Kuwaiti officials found Villa’s statement undiplomatic, the issue added to the diplomatic tension between the two countries.
Malacañang on Tuesday, April 24, confirmed that President Rodrigo Roa Duterte’s meeting with Kuwaiti Ambassador Musaed Saleh Ahmad Althwaikh to resolve issues concerning the welfare of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in the Gulf state ended on a positive note.
“I confirm that the President met with the Ambassador of Kuwait to the Philippines, the Secretary of Foreign Affairs, [Environment] Secretary [Roy] Cimatu, and Secretary [Silvestre] Bello of Labor [Department]. They discussed recent events that transpired in Kuwait,” Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque, Jr. announced in a Palace press briefing.
But yesterday, April 25, the Kuwaiti government says they want Villa out.
Since February 9, this year, the diplomatic ties between the Philippines and Kuwait has been strained after OFW Joanna Demafeliz was found dead inside a freezer, which prompted Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte to order a ban in the deployment of OFWs in Kuwait.-Editha Z. Caduaya/Newsline.Ph
