Kuwaiti authorities have released four Filipino embassy drivers who took part in the rescue of distressed Filipino household workers from abused employers, following the visit of a high-level Philippine team to normalize ties with the Gulf state, according to Malacañang on Wednesday.
The team, headed by Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III, Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque, former Labor secretary Marianito Roque, Labor Attaché Rustico dela Fuente, and Deputy Chief of Mission in Kuwait Mohd Noordin Lomondot left for Kuwait Tuesday night upon the directive of President Rodrigo Duterte.
The delegation met officials from the Kuwaiti Interior Ministry as the Philippines and Kuwait “look forward to the normalization of ties,” the Palace statement said.
Kuwait officials expressed the value of Filipinos in Kuwait and assured the safety of thousands of Filipino workers there, mostly household helpers.
The Palace said an agreement is expected to be signed and agreed upon after the meeting.
Malacañang also said Kuwait has agreed to create a Special Unit from their police force which the Philippine Embassy staff can liaison with on complaints of Filipino workers, which will be open and available 24 hours. Vito Barcelo
“A special number that Filipino workers can call for assistance will also be available 24 hours,” the Palace said.
During the meeting, officials of the two countries also agreed to release the four Filipino drivers who took part in the rescue operations of distressed OFWs, a video of which went viral on social media.
Under the agreement, all remaining undocumented Filipinos and those with pending cases will be allowed to go home.
The Palace assured that at least 150 OFWs will be joining the Philippine officials in returning to the country.
Earlier, Kuwait authorities committed to release the four Filipinos detained over the rescue mission and ensure that the Philippines’ diplomatic personnel in Kuwait will be home in the coming days.
The Kuwaiti government had filed two protest notes to the Philippines, alleging that the rescue mission “contravened diplomatic protocol, intervened with Kuwaiti internal affairs and violated the sovereignty and dignity of Kuwait.”
Foreign Affairs Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano reiterated that Filipino officials resorted to rescuing the workers without coordination with their Kuwaiti as these were “life-or-death situations,” adding the Kuwaiti government had accepted the Philippines’ explanation on the incident. Vito Barcelo