Philippines asks for 'diplomatic space' while settling issues with Kuwait

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine government appealed to the public for understanding as it engages with the Kuwaiti government in discussing concerns of overseas Filipino workers.

President Rodrigo Duterte met with Kuwaiti Ambassador Saleh Ahmad Althwaikh in Davao City Monday evening to discuss such issues.

The Department of Foreign Affairs expressed confidence that the issues between the Philippines and Kuwait would be resolved following the meeting between Duterte and the Kuwaiti envoy.

"We, however, would like to appeal for the public’s kind understanding as we ask for some diplomatic space to allow us to continue our engagement with our Kuwaiti counterparts," the DFA said in a statement late Monday.

During the meeting with Duterte, the Saleh reiterated Kuwait's commitment to protect and ensure the welfare of the 250,000 Filipinos working in the Gulf state.

The Philippine government also gave its assurances of respect for Kuwait's sovereignty and the dignity of its people.

"We also agreed to continue to work together to address matters of mutual concern and will update the public of developments," the DFA said.

The DFA, however, has not made any comment on reports that two Filipinos have been arrested for allegedly convincing domestic helpers to run away from their employer's homes.

Philippine Ambassador to Kuwait Renato Villa has been under fire following comments about the embassy's operations to rescue distressed Filipino workers.

State-run Kuwait News Agency reported that the two Filipinos "confessed to the crime in addition to other similar offenses that had been committed in various regions of the country."

Foreign Affairs Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano earlier admitted that there was a misunderstanding between the Philippine Embassy and the Kuwaiti government on this matter.

Cayetano said that Villa was able to explain to Kuwait's Ministry of Interior that the rescue operations were conducted in cooperation with local authorities.

"The question was why we conducted the rescue ourselves. Because these are cases involving grave danger and may be a matter of life and death for our OFWs," Cayetano told reporters in a mix of Filipino and English on Monday.