DFA: Kuwait embassy exec recalled last year

MANILA, Philippines - An official of the Philippine embassy in Kuwait recommended by a government panel to be charged with human trafficking was disciplinarily recalled last year, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said yesterday.

Created by the Department of Justice (DOJ), the task force recommended the filing of charges against Daligdig Tanandato and other embassy personnel for violation of the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2003 and the Expanded Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2012.

The DFA deferred comment on the findings on the allegations against Tanandato, who was head of the embassy’s Assistance to Nationals unit.

“We have yet to receive a copy of the DOJ task force’s investigation report, so we will defer comment on its findings until we have read the report,” said DFA spokesman Raul Hernandez.

According to Hernandez, Tanandato had been disciplinarily recalled in March 2013 after the DFA received complaints against him.

“We did this to make way for a thorough investigation of the complaints. He is now facing charges based on those complaints,” he added.

He also said that the DFA has not received allegations of a sexual nature against the embassy official. 

“If anyone has basis for any further complaints against him, we encourage him/her to come forward. We wish to reiterate that the DFA takes these allegations seriously and we will never tolerate any form of corruption or abuse committed by our personnel,” Hernandez said.