DFA declares Panama official persona non grata

Manila, Philippines -  The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) declared yesterday Panamanian official Erick Bairnals Shcks, accused of raping a Filipina teenager, as persona non grata.

The DFA issued the declaration after Ambassador Roberto Carlos Vallarino delivered a note to the DFA conveying the Panamanian government’s decision not to waive the immunity of Shcks, a member of the administrative and technical staff of the embassy.

In accordance with Article 9 of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, Shcks should be recalled or terminated by the Panamanian government.

If no action is taken by the Panama government within a reasonable period of time after Shcks is declared persona non grata, the Philippine government will cease to recognize Shcks as a member of the embassy and will accordingly strip him of diplomatic immunity.

“This decision declaring him as persona non grata was immediately conveyed to the Department of Justice for appropriate action,” the DFA said in a statement.

Shcks left the country Friday night. The Bureau of Immigration said its agents have no reason to prevent him from leaving since his name is not included in the BI’s watch and hold departure lists.

He was arrested after a 19-year-old Filipina complained he raped her last April 23. Shcks was released after the DFA granted him diplomatic immunity. – With Rudy Santos