Phl embassy: Allegations are unfounded and unfair

An article in the Philippine Star recently carried statements by the Migrante Middle East Regional Coordinator alleging neglect by officials of the Philippine Embassy in Riyadh in handling OFW cases.

The Philippine Embassy in Riyadh denies these unfounded and unfair allegations.

Both the Embassy and the Philippine Consulate General in Jeddah have duty officers who address the concerns and predicaments of OFWs round the clock every day of the week.

The Embassy’s numbers and hotlines are widely disseminated to the Filipino communities in Saudi Arabia and are posted on the Embassy’s website.

Almost daily, the Embassy’s Assistance to Nationals and labor and welfare officials work beyond regular working hours, attending to emergency and police cases not only in Riyadh and Jeddah, but also in other regions of Saudi Arabia.

In the course of their work, they operate under often difficult conditions, and lengthy bureaucratic procedures. For instance, the admission of an undocumented worker to the hospital could take five to six hours to negotiate. Jail visits require two weeks prior notice.

In December 2010, under my initiative and for purposes of planning, the Embassy set a schedule for visiting Filipino prisoners in all the prisons around the Kingdom for the whole year of 2011.

The staff members of the Embassy’s Assistance to Nationals Section cover hospitals, worksites, jails and prisons as far as 1800 kilometers from Riyadh. They also deal with hundreds of other problems ranging from abuse cases, detention cases, shipment of remains, financial support and whereabouts, claim for death benefits, blood money cases for those who died in road traffic accidents and death penalty cases.

With regard to the allegation that Migrante has received “numerous complaints” against Embassy staff and officials, the Embassy wishes to be given the opportunity to face them in the spirit of fairness and its staff members shall willingly face them in the proper forum in order to defend themselves against these frivolous accusations, or be sanctioned if warranted.

In providing information on cases to the public, civil society and NGOs, the Embassy is guided by several principles, notably any request from a Filipino national in distress, or from their next of kin for privacy, must be honoured. Likewise, any public disclosure of information that may prejudice the interest and welfare of the person being helped, such as in rape cases, must be avoided.

A case in point is that of the late Romelyn Ybanez, whose family requested for privacy and confidentiality while the case is being re-investigated. Also, freely giving information about the details of sensitive matters, such as cases involving rape, would be detrimental to the welfare and dignity of the Filipino concerned.

Migrante’s statement regarding my alleged ignorance of developments in the Ibanez case is unfounded and gratuitous. Since assuming as Chargé d’ Affaires, I have been personally involved in this case, and the Embassy has consistently reported to the DFA on the actions it has taken, including engaging the services of a competent legal counsel to assist in the case.

The Embassy is also continuing its vigorous representations with the Emir of Eastern Region and the Minister of Interior to press for a reinvestigation of the case.

Much has been reported on this case as the Department has released the police investigation results and the medical autopsy report, and has kept the family of Ms. Ybanez informed of the latest developments on the case.

In accordance with RA 8042 and 10022, the Embassy has built and values the strong partnerships it has with civil society and non-governmental organizations, which are its collaborators in safeguarding the welfare and interest of overseas Filipinos. This relationship is based on mutual respect or at the very least, on cordiality.

It must be noted that while Migrante’s Regional Coordinator who is based in Hail (600 kilometers from Riyadh) criticized the Embassy and my leadership, his colleagues in Riyadh and Jeddah have cited the Embassy’s timely intervention and noticeable responsiveness to their phone calls and referrals. Mr. Eric Jocson of Migrante Riyadh has gone on record in expressing gratitude for the Embassy’s efforts in safeguarding the welfare of OFWs it has referred to the embassy.