Tag: philippines

Kuwaiti gov’t recalls its Manila envoy who assured OFW protection as PHL seeks explanation

  (Eagle News) — The Department of Foreign Affairs has already summoned Kuwaiti Ambassador Musaed Saleh Ahmad Althwaikh but failed to talk to him as he was already recalled by the Kuwaiti government. The DFA said that it had served a “diplomatic note” to the Embassy of the State of Kuwait in Manila only to learn that Kuwaiti Ambassador had been “recalled to his capital for consultations.” In a statement, the DFA said it conveyed […]

Escudero says Kuwait’s expulsion of PHL ambassador, recall of Manila rep “uncalled for and unwarranted”

(Eagle News) — “Uncalled for and unwarranted.” This was how Senator Chiz Escudero described Kuwait’s moves to expel Philippine Ambassador Renato Villa, and to recall its Manila representative. In a statement on Thursday, April 26, Escudero said this was because they took place after President Rodrigo Duterte himself issued an apology over the rescue of Overseas Filipino Workers which Kuwait deemed illegal. Overseas Workers Welfare Administration deputy administrator Arnel Ignacio said the rescue was a […]

PHL readies Boracay shutdown

BORACAY, Philippines (AFP) — Police patrolled entry points to Boracay island on Tuesday just days before a six-month shutdown and clean-up of one of the Philippines’ top tourist attractions. President Rodrigo Duterte had branded the renowned white-sand resort a “cesspool” fouled by dumped sewage and imposed the temporary ban on visitors that is due to take effect Thursday. Authorities on Tuesday held a practice run of security measures, asking residents of the tiny island to […]

PHL vows respect for Kuwait as President Duterte meets Kuwaiti ambassador in Davao

(Eagle News)—-The Philippine government has assured Kuwait that it respects the “sovereignty” of the state and the “dignity of the Kuwaiti people.” The renewed assurances were given in a meeting between President Rodrigo Duterte and the Kuwaiti Ambassador to the Philippines Saleh Ahmad Althwaikh  in Davao on Monday night, April 23. The meeting comes days after  Philippine ambassador to Kuwait Renato Villa was sent protest notes by the Kuwaiti government over remarks made by Foreign […]

Remittance payments back to home countries, including PHL, hit record-high in 2017: World Bank

WASHINGTON, United States  — Payments from immigrants back to their home countries, including the Philippines, rebounded to reach a new record in 2017 but the costs of transferring funds also increased, the World Bank said Monday. The stronger-than-expected recovery in remittances — payments that are key to supporting the economies of many poor countries — was driven by growth in Europe, Russia and the United States, the World Bank said in a report. The bank estimates that […]

Gov’t to deploy riot police for Boracay tourist closure

The Philippines is set to deploy hundreds of riot police to top holiday island Boracay to keep travelers out and head off potential protests ahead of its six-month closure to tourists, the government said Tuesday. President Rodrigo Duterte has branded the tiny central island and its world-famous white-sand beach a “cesspool.” He has ordered that visitors be kept away from April 26 so facilities to treat raw sewage can be set up and illegal structures […]

Amid ongoing missile strikes in Syria, PHL gov’t issues security advisory for Filipinos there

(Eagle News)—-The Philippine government is advising the around 1000 Filipinos in Syria to stay in their homes “until further advice.” Foreign Affairs Assistant Secretary Elmer Cato made the statement amid the ongoing Western missile strikes  on supposed Syrian chemical facilities. “So far, the embassy has not received any reports of Filipino casualties in the attacks that appear to have targeted military installations in and around Damascus,” he said. He said the personnel of the Philippine Embassy in […]

PHL launches probe into Facebook data breach

(Eagle News)– The National Privacy Commission announced on Friday, April 13, that it was launching an investigation following Facebook’s admission data from over one million accounts of Filipinos may have been improperly shared with Cambridge Analytica. “We are launching an investigation into Facebook to determine whether there is unauthorized processing of personal data of Filipinos, and other possible violations of the Data Privacy Act,” an excerpt of the letter sent to Zuckerberg said. The letter, […]

Duterte apologizes to Myanmar’s Suu Kyi over genocide remark

(Eagle News) — President Rodrigo Duterte on Friday, April 13, issued a public apology to Myanmar’s Aung San Suu Kyi Friday, a week after describing the military crackdown on the country’s Rohingya minority as a “genocide.” “I will apologize to you, but if you have noticed, my statement was almost a satire,” Duterte told a pre-dawn news conference in Davao on Friday. He said his original comments were intended as a dig at European countries […]

Duterte threatens to bar ICC prosecutor from entering PHL

“What is your authority now if we are not members of the (Rome Statute)?” he asks (Eagle News) — President Rodrigo Duterte on Friday, April 13, threatened to bar the International Criminal Court prosecutor tasked to look into the drug war from entering the country. “Ms. Fatou (ICC prosecutor Fatou Bensouda), wag ka pumunta dito because I will bar you. Not because I’m afraid of you but because you will never have jurisdiction over my […]

Duterte reiterates invitation for Communist leaders to return to PHL

Assures them of safe passage (Eagle News) — President Rodrigo Duterte on Friday, April 13, reiterated his invitation for Communist leaders abroad to come home, assuring them of safe passage. “I will give them my personal and official guarantee na during the two months na punta sila dito, they will not be arrested, they will not be molested, they will not be whatever, (be caused) any inconvenience,” he said in his speech upon his arrival […]