By Argyll Cyrus B. Geducos
President Duterte is planning to go to Kuwait to personally appeal the plight of abused overseas Filipino workers before the Kuwaiti government whom he claimed was “oblivious” about their complaints.
Duterte fumed at the Kuwaiti government over the death of Joanna Daniela Dimapilis, a Filipina domestic helper whose body was found inside a freezer in an apartment which was abandoned for more than a year.
According to Duterte, his plans to visit Kuwait stemmed from his meeting with the Kuwaiti Ambassador to the Philippines Saleh Ahmad Althwaikh.
The Chief Executive said he cannot divulge what was discussed during their closed-door meeting but he said that he is planning to visit the Gulf State to appeal the plight of OFWs in Kuwait.
“Pero may plano ako to plead my case there, before them. Kailangan ‘yan eh,” Duterte told the media in Davao City late Friday.
Duterte had earlier in the day expressed disappointment over the Kuwaiti government about the abuses Filipino workers are experiencing from their employers in the Gulf State.
The President also said the Philippines was always ready to protect Kuwait from Iraq during the Gulf War and wondered why the Kuwaiti government is unable to protect OFWs.
“But because of our desire to protect you Kuwait in the future, from Iraq, because Iraq was bent on getting you as part of their territory, we, at that time, during the invasion, considering you and the danger of weapons of mass destruction and verily at the behest of the American government, we were deployed in the Middle East using your country and you saw the workers, the doctors, and the nurses, and other medical personnel of the Armed Forces of the Philippines,” he said.
“We lost about – wounded seriously three of our citizens fighting for the cause of the peace in the Middle East focused on the fear of your government that you will be invaded again,” he added.
“We went there. We were enthusiastic. We fought to protect your interest. We did not fail you. How come my countrymen are now suffering brutality, cruelty, and death? And you seem to be oblivious about it,” he said.
