23 November 2015 – In line with the efforts of the Embassy to protect the rights and promote the welfare of Filipinos in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Philippine Ambassador to the UAE Constancio R. Vingno, Jr.  paid a courtesy call on Brigadier General Mohamed Saif Matar Al Zaabi, Manager of Punishment and Corrections Administration of Abu Dhabi Police at the Administration Building,  Al Wathba Central Jail, Al Wathba, Abu Dhabi on November 18.

During the call, Ambassador Vingno noted the good relations between the Embassy and the Abu Dhabi prison officials and assured General Al Zaabi of the Embassy’s continued cooperation in all their endeavors.

General Al Zaabi noted that the Philippine Embassy “is one of the great Embassies in the UAE because you take care of your people.” He noted the presence of Embassy representatives every Wednesday in various prison facilities in Abu Dhabi attending to the requests of detained Filipinos.

Ambassador Vingno also thanked General Al Zaabi for facilitating the pardon of 15 Filipinos during the holy month of Ramadan. General Al Zaabi said that Filipinos often show good behavior inside prison facilities that is why they are being included in the proposed list for pardon.

General Al Zaabi also stated that they are trying their best to address the needs of all those in prison. He added that the Ambassador is always welcome to visit the three jails in Abu Dhabi namely Al Wathba Jail, Al Ain Jail and Al Mafraq Jail.

Prior to the call on General Al Zaabi, Ambassador Vingno also met with Colonel Atiq Ibrahim Saeed Al Dhaheri, Deputy Manager of Punishment and Corrections, and was briefed about the programs being undertaken by the UAE Government in achieving a humane correctional system including skills training programs, physical fitness activities, access to a wide selection of books in the library, and medical services. He added that prison facilities are constantly being improved taking into account best practices of other countries such as Australia and Singapore.

Ambassador Vingno was also brought to a special room at the visitors’ center in Al Wathba Jail where he was able to interact with some of the detained Filipinos. END