Envoy seeks Filipina access – Pinoys apprehensive

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KUWAIT CITY, Aug 9: Philippine Ambassador to Kuwait Renato Pedro Villa has expressed the Philippines’ unwavering support to Kuwait’s antiterror campaign in light of the recent arrest of a Filipino woman in Kuwait due to suspicion that she is a supporter of jihadist militant group ISIS and at the same time, he called on Kuwaiti authorities to ensure the safety of the Filipina who is under the custody of the state security pending investigation.

The Filipina, who works as a household service worker is currently detained and being investigated by Kuwaiti State Security offi cers. She was born in 1984 and entered Kuwait as a house maid in June this year.

The Ministry of Interior (MOI) said the authorities monitored one of the email accounts of the Filipina who was reportedly using a fake name and a nickname to avoid monitoring. Kuwaiti authorities said their surveillance showed that the woman used the Telegram messaging application on her mobile phone to contact her Somali husband in Libya who has an alleged link with the DAESH or ISIS. They alleged that she had only been waiting for the chance to conduct a suicide bombing attack in Kuwait.

The Philippine Embassy in Kuwait upon learning of the arrest of its national requested from the Ministry of Interior officials that they be allowed to see the Filipina. The Embassy also sent a letter to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. “We wrote a letter to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to know the circumstances surrounding the arrest of our national. We want to know why she was arrested, how she was arrested and her personal record so we can verify it in the Philippines and her true identity,” disclosed Villa. He also reiterated their call that the Filipina be given due process and her rights protected under the Kuwait law and guarantee her safety.

Meanwhile, Filipinos in Kuwait expressed concern on the repercussions that may stem from the Filipina’s arrest. “This news is very alarming. We hope and pray that this is not true and that she may be released soon. But what worries us now is the possible effect on the security checking by authorities on Filipinos in Kuwait.

This might affect all Filipinos in Kuwait,” stated Dr Chie Umandap, founding chairman of Ako-OFW, an advocacy group based in Kuwait with members across the globe aimed at promoting the welfare and protecting the rights of Overseas Filipino Workers. Villa however reassured Filipinos in Kuwait that they should remain calm and go on with their work. He trusts that the employers’ high opinion of Filipinos will not change. “Just abide by the laws of Kuwait and I’m sure that this one incident will not affect the good relations of Kuwaiti employers with their Filipino workers,” he stressed.

Kuwait has embarked on an aggressive anti-terrorism campaign after the suicide bombing attack on Al Sadiq Mosque on June 26, 2015 that killed 27 people and wounded 227 others. “The Philippines is one with Kuwait in fighting terrorism and we’re ready to cooperate to resolve this case of the Filipina,” stressed Villa.

By Michelle Fe Santiago Arab Times Staff

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