By Genalyn D. Kabiling
The government is hopeful that the expulsion of Ambassador Renato Villa would not worsen relations between Kuwait and the Philippines.
Presidential spokesman Harry Roque admitted that Malacanang was “disturbed” by Kuwait’s decision to expel Villa over a dispute over distressed Filipino workers but expressed hope that wounds would heal over time.
“We hope that this development will not lead to further worsening of bilateral ties between the two countries. We hope that this is Kuwaiti’s way of just expressing its anger for which Secretary of Foreign Affairs Alan Cayetano had already apologized,” Roque said. “We believe and hope that the passage of time will heal all wounds and lead to normalized ties,” he added.
Kuwait had earlier ordered Villa to leave within a week and recalled its own envoy from Manila.
The latest diplomatic action came after Kuwait protested the alleged undiplomatic acts of Philippine Embassy staff helping Filipino workers to escape alleged abusive employers in Kuwait. A controversial video on the rescue of distressed Filipino workers went viral online and has angered the government of Kuwait.
Roque said they were surprised by Kuwait’s decision on the removal of Villa, adding they thought the conflict was resolved following President Duterte’s meeting with the Kuwaiti Ambassador Saleh Ahmad Althwaikh in Davao City early this week.
He acknowledged that Kuwait’s decision appeared to be a “grave expression of displeasure.”
“We would like to reiterate the statement of the Secretary of Foreign Affairs, that the Palace is equally disturbed by recent developments involving the recall of our Ambassador to Kuwait Ambassador Villa,” Roque said.
“After the meeting of the President with the Kuwaiti Ambassador, we were convinced that all kinks had been ironed out reinforced by the apology given by Secretary of Foreign Affairs the following day,” he added.