RP embassy security tightened

Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto Romulo ordered yesterday the Philippine embassy and consulate general in Saudi Arabia to tighten security after a militant organization demanding that President Arroyo step down was able to hold a rally inside the consulate in Jeddah.

"The OFWs (overseas Filipino workers) enjoy the right to express their views on current issues in the Philippines, while respecting the rights of others to be provided with the services of Philippine embassies and consulates," he said in a statement.

Gilberto Asuque, Department of Foreign Affairs spokesman, said the Philippine consulate general in Jeddah had reported that eight members of Migrante held a lightning anti-Arroyo rally inside the consulate.

Romulo ordered tightened security in the Philippine embassy and consulate general in Saudi Arabia to ensure the continuous delivery of consular and other essential services to Filipinos in the kingdom, he added.

In a report to Romulo, Asuque said that according to Consul General Pendosina Lomondot the rallyists were already inside the consulate premises at around 3 p.m. Saturday while the consulate staff was at work.

The rallyists urged stranded workers at the Filipino Workers’ Resource Center (FWRC) to join the rally inside the consulate’s reception center and shout "Oust GMA" slogans, he added.

Asuque said FWRC welfare officer Ali Ampang ordered that the protesters be bodily carried out of the consulate premises.

The forcible removal of Leo Legaspi, Irane Mahinay, Jackiline Pakpakin and Jessica Ilapos from the consulate resulted in scuffles and physical contact with consulate staff, he added.

Asuque said Ampang explained to the protesters that coaxing the FWRC tenants, all of whom were women, to leave the consulate premises would be detrimental to their safety.

"They are free to express their views but it should not hinder the services of the consulate," he said.

Lomondot and other consulate staff were able to break up the scuffle and invited the protesters to a conference where they ventilated their concerns on labor and employment conditions, he added.

The consul general, Philippine Overseas Labor Office officer and staff discussed the protesters’ concerns, particularly the actions taken on the cases of the female FWRC tenants, to the satisfaction of the group, Asuque said.