Public asked not to prejudge recalled envoy

MANILA, Philippines - An official of the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) yesterday urged the public not to prejudge the sexual harassment case filed against recalled Ambassador to Kuwait Shulan Primavera by a female overseas Filipino worker.

“We enjoin everyone not to prejudge the case pending the outcome of the investigation that the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) will conduct,” DFA spokesman Raul Hernandez said in a statement sent through a text message.

“Let us be fair and just to everyone,” he added.

Hernandez said Primavera has yet to show up at the DFA for the investigation.     

He said the hearing has yet to be set for Primavera to appear before a panel of DFA officials who will conduct the probe.

Earlier, Hernandez said the probe on the envoy would be governed by Republic Act 7157, or the Philippine Foreign Service Act of 1991.

He said the RA 7157 mandates that “for the DFA to investigate an ambassador, an express written instruction from the President is needed.” 

Reynaldo Robles, counsel for the complainant, said they are studying the filing of other criminal cases against the diplomat.

Robles said aside from sexual harassment, Primavera could also be charged with trafficking and forced labor after he allegedly took household workers from the government-run welfare center in Kuwait without paying them the right wages.

“There was a time when Mabel (the complainant) expressed her intention to go back to the welfare center, but the diplomat discouraged her and such action can also be considered as forced labor,” he explained.

The lawyer said they initially filed an administrative complaint against Primavera.

“We asked Mabel what’s her purpose and she said she would not want other OFWs to experience what she had under Ambassador Primavera, so we just pursue, at the moment, an administrative case,” he pointed out.

Based on her complaint, Mabel said the diplomat sexually harassed her three times.

“The first instance was when the diplomat touched her waist while telling her not to be afraid of him because he is no longer capable of having sex,” Robles revealed.

There was also an instance when the diplomat allegedly kissed the maid’s lips and breast, and continued with his conversation laced with sexual insinuation.

Primavera also reportedly slept in the maid’s room and tried to convince Mabel to sleep beside him, but she refused.

The last instance was in September when the diplomat allegedly urged the girl to perform oral sex on him.