Statement on the Meeting Between H.E. President Rodrigo Roa Duterte and H.E. Ambassador Saleh Ahmad Althwaikh of Kuwait

24 April 2018 — President Rodrigo Roa Duterte received Kuwaiti Ambassador Saleh Ahmad Althwaikh in Davao City early this evening to discuss concerns of overseas Filipino workers and other sensitive issues between the Philippines and Kuwait.

With the President during the meeting were Foreign Affairs Secretary Alan Peter S. Cayetano, Labor Secretary Silvestre H. Bello III, Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Roy A. Cimatu, Presidential Communications Office Secretary Martin M. Andanar and other officials of the Department of Foreign Affairs.

During the meeting, Ambassador Saleh reiterated to us the commitment of the Kuwaiti Government to protect and ensure the welfare of our more than 250,000 kababayans working there. For our part, we gave renewed assurances of our respect for the sovereignty of the State of Kuwait and the dignity of the Kuwaiti people.

We also agreed to continue to work together to address matters of mutual concern and will update the public of developments. We, however, would like to appeal for the public’s kind understanding as we ask for some diplomatic space to allow us to continue our engagement with our Kuwaiti counterparts.

We are optimistic that following our conversation with Ambassador Saleh early this evening, the remaining issues between the Philippines and Kuwait will be resolved. END