Bangladesh and the Philippines

Within a short while I will be completing my 4-year term as Ambassador of Bangladesh to the Philippines. I was honoured to be the only Roman Catholic Ambassador from a Muslim majority country of Bangladesh. At a famous Catholic church in Dhaka during a Sunday homily the Parish priest who had read the newspaper, announced that I was appointed as an Ambassador to the Philippines. Before even the final blessing the Philippine community who largely dominate the church choir rushed and congratulated me expressing their happiness. Since my arrival in the Philippines on 6 November 2012, I have been trying my best to strengthen the bilateral relationship between the two countries and also to increase ‘people-to people’ contact between the two friendly nations.

Looking back at my experience here I can start with the incident of the super typhoon. During 08-10 November 2013 the super typhoon Haiyan (Local name ‘Yolanda’) – the strongest typhoon on record to make landfall –  hit the Philippines. In response to my appeal to the immediate needs of Yolanda affected people, the Bangladesh Government dispatched a huge donation in favour of the Philippines Government. Bangladesh further extended its helping hands to the Yolanda affected people by sending its newly acquired Naval ship BNS Somudra Joy loaded to the brink with relief items worth 125,000 US Dollar. The Bangladesh Navy officials and sailors worked day and night collecting relief goods all through their way from San Francisco to Manila. The relief goods were handed over by myself to the Philippines Government on 30 November. It was due to my personal endeavor that this relief was made possible.

In another response, due to my personal appeal Square Group of Companies, the largest pharmaceutical company of Bangladesh was kind to immediately respond to the call of the affected people and send medicine to the tune of approximately USD 50,000. I handed over the medicine donation to the Director of the Department of Health on 18 December 2013.

As a part of sports diplomacy, I organized ‘Bangladesh – Philippines Friendship Golf Tournament’ on 4 October 2013 at the prestigious Manila Southwood Golf and Country Club in Cavite. The tournament was inaugurated by no less than the former Philippine President Mr. Fidel V. Ramos, the only Philippine President who visited Bangladesh. About 100 players from the Department of Foreign Affairs, Department of National Defence, Armed Forces of the Philippines, members of diplomatic corps, retired Generals, CEOs of different business companies participated in the tournament. The proceeds from the tournament was donated to the Religious Order of Notre Dame Missionary (Sisters) in Cavite for Charity work.

During a trip to Bohol organized by Mr. Carlos Chan, Chairman of the Liwayway Group of Companies, I noticed that the historical Loboc Catholic Church was greatly damaged due to the earthquake. I was shocked to see that there was no roof at that church where I prayed during the previous trip in 2014. Instantly, I declared that I could assist in the rebuilding work and accordingly on 4 April 2016, I handed over Peso One Hundred Thousand to the former city Mayor Mr. Leon Calipunan for rehabilitation of Loboc Church in Bohol from my own pocket. The parish priest thanked me in writing for this generosity. Because of my Catholic background no less than His Eminence Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle, D.D. blessed my Ambassadorial residence. The programme was attended by more than 50 priests and nuns from Bangladesh.

I also received a commendation from the Cabinet Secretary for going to Cotabato to take part in the Bangsamoro Shajatra  programme of the President which started the new process of the peace in Mindanao. I have facilitated sending of 2-3 batches of students from De La Salle University representing Bangladesh at the National Model United Nations (NMUN) 2014 in Washington, D.C., which I initiated. For that the Department of Foreign Affairs sent me a letter of commendation.

I am happy to note that the Philippine Bangladesh Business Council that was launched in 2014 is now coordinating on trade exchange with the Bangladesh Philippine Business Council formed by the Philippine Ambassador to Bangladesh.  It is heartening to note that before I came there were a few Philippine nationals going to Bangladesh. Since the past 2-3 years hundreds of visas are being issued to the Philippine nationals who are going to Bangladesh to join the readymade garment industry as supervisors, quality control managers and designers. I have been personally advocating that Philippines joins our RMG sector which is the second largest in the world as the salary and other benefits are good in Bangladesh.

My Embassy has participated in the International Bazaar for 3 consecutive terms from 2013 to 2014. The proceeds of the day are donated to the International Bazaar Foundation (IBF), which are then used for various projects such as scholarship grants for students, financial support for the elderly, abandoned children, as well as victims of calamities. After my arrival my Embassy now regularly participates also in the Muslim Magbassa Kita Foundation programme for Eid ul Fitr under the auspices of the Magbassa Chair Former Senator Santanina Rasul.

It is the local media that revealed details about the 81 million USD heist from Bangladesh Bank account that was laundered into the Philippines and through the senate hearing much has been revealed to the public. Accordingly, the RCBC was fined and cases filed against perpetrators of this unprecedented financial crime. We deeply appreciate the cooperation and support of the Philippine authority and specially the media for standing with Bangladesh in the recovery of our 81 million Dollar.

Even though the 81 million Dollar was hacked and the amount physically came to the Philippines I did not allow it to affect the bilateral relationship between the two countries. I informed the press and the people of my country that I am receiving cooperation and support from different Philippine Government agencies, the Senate, people from different strata of society, and the media who are bent upon returning 81 million US Dollar to Bangladesh. I kept telling the Bangladesh government, the media and the people that they should have patience as we are getting all necessary support from the Philippine side.

However, we have reasons to believe that a former employee of this Embassy who 3 years ago was terminated for incompetence and negligence to duty is behind a malicious campaign to discredit my name especially when I am so engrossed with the recovery of our stolen 81 million Dollar. It is unfortunate that there is an attempt to divert the issue of the 81 million Dollar where a local media and a blog published fictitious allegations against me without even seeking my opinion and giving me a chance to tell the truth before publishing concocted news. In unequivocal terms I would like to state that I did not utter any derogatory remarks about Philippines and its people and my close liaison with many of the Philippine community from different strata of the society is testimony to this.

I will continue my work to recover the 81 million US Dollar and promote the bilateral relations between Bangladesh and the Philippines.

* * *

(Ambassador of Bangladesh to the Philippines)