Manila’s Top Diplomat Urges OFs to Voice Their Issues
DUBAI: Philippine Foreign Affairs Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano on Saturday said overseas Filipinos (OFs) must be persistent in informing the Duterte Government all their issues and concerns so that “best practices” would be implemented not only for much improved services towards the 15 million population but also for much better relations with the international community.
Manila’s top diplomat was in Dubai for the weekend and on a stop-over as a member of the Duterte May 23 to 26 Official Visit to Russia.
The visit was cut short since Duterte flew back to the Philippines on May 24, after he had placed the entire Mindanao Island under Martial Law on the evening of May 23.
The military rule was a consequence of the clash between the Daesh-influenced Maute rebels and government forces when the latter were nearing the former’s lair in Marawi City, Lanao del Sur Province to capture Isnilon Hapilon, a leader of the Abu Sayyaf terrorist group, said to have pledged allegiance to the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria in 2014.
The two Philippine diplomatic missions in the UAE hosted a jampacked Town Hall Meeting with Cayetano and representatives of the Filipino Community in Dubai and the Northern Emirates at the Philippine Consulate General in Dubai on Saturday.
With Cayetano were Foreign Affairs Undersecretary for Policy Enrique Manalo and Assistant Secretary for European Affairs Maria Cleofe Natividad.
The concerns raised were on quick and efficient consular and assistance to nationals’ services. Several questions were put about the Martial Law in Mindanao.
On the Mindanao Martial Law, Cayetano said Duterte, as a “strategist,” foresaw the “domino effect” and the possible spill-over of the Maute rebels and their cohorts to other parts of the island.
He claimed Martial Law is not the solution. But this will serve as the channel to resolve the crisis which has been rooted on “historical injustices” against the Moros from centuries back, leading to ages of extreme poverty and inaccessibility to education and social welfare services.
“Let us pray for Mindanao,” said Cayetano, who comes from an Evangelical Christian family.
He encouraged OFs to inform their Congressmen about their sentiments.
Cayetano said since the crisis erupted, the separatist Moro National Liberation Front and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front have been assisting the Duterte Administration in its fight against the Maute Group.
On the necessary persistence, the senator from 2007 to 2017 with political experience from 25 years back, related the biblical parable of the persistent widow who sought justice from the judge every day.
Cayetano believes being assertive or persistent is the way for improvements inasmuch as President Duterte gives weight on the solutions to problems than to dwell on the negativities.
The 46-year-old also appealed for empathy and understanding from both sides—the foreign service personnel from the 81 Philippine diplomatic missions around the world and their clients.
He said these are needed since much as emergency and unforeseen cases may arise any time, rules and regulations are in place for efficiency and order.
Cayetano gave the assurance that the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) is working on continually enhancing all services.
He is for regular town hall meetings which may be done simultaneously and digitally between and among DFA-Manila and the 81 Philippine diplomatic missions..
On legal assistance support, it is the possible increment to the retainership fees to lawyers permitted to represent and defend distressed OFs before authorities such as the judicial courts in host governments.
On passporting, more data capturing machines.
DFA is also keen at the use of a downloadable app for alerts regarding all consular services among other notifications.
(Source: GulfToday.ae)