MANILA – Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon said he would object to the planned recall of Philippine ambassador to Kuwait Rene Villa.
Villa came under fire for conducting rescue operations to save distressed Filipino workers in Kuwait. The operations were captured on video which became viral on social media.
“We should not recall him,” Drilon said.
In expressing support to Villa, the senator from Iloilo added, “He’s there to protect our interest and the interest of our Filipino workers, and forced by necessity he did what he did for the welfare of our Filipino compatriots.”
The Kuwaiti government said the Philippine embassy’s move violated domestic laws and “could harm the friendship between the two countries.”
Sen. Joseph Victor Ejercito defended Villa, too, saying the latter had to make a “hard decision.”
“While we need to respect laws of the host country, the priority of any government official should be the welfare and lives of the Filipino citizens,” said Ejercito.
Sen. Francis Pangilinan said he was “glad” about the embassy’s “aggressive” approach in defending the rights of abused overseas Filipino workers.
“I hope that the (Philippine) apology notwithstanding, they will still be aggressive in protecting, defending and rescuing troubled OFWs. Filipinos living or working abroad have to feel safe and confident that their government will protect and defend them, right or wrong,” Pangilinan said.
Sen. Cynthia Villar, on the other hand, was not pleased with the rescue missions and wanted Villa recalled to prevent further tensions.
“Ako kasi kung may problema, i-recall na lang, palitan ng iba. Why will you quarrel ba? Ano ba ‘yung reason to quarrel, ‘di ba? Mahirap kasi na nasa bansa tayo nila tapos makikipag-away tayo doon. I recall na lang, palitan ng iba para wala ng gulo,” said Villar, vice chairperson of the Senate committee on foreign affairs./PN
