Pinoy diplomats facing kidnapping raps over rescue of distressed OFWs in Kuwait — Cayetano

Filipino diplomats in Kuwait have been charged with kidnapping over the controversial rescue of distressed overseas Filipino workers in the Gulf state, according to Foreign Affairs Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano on Wednesday night.

The Philippines and Kuwait are currently locked in a diplomatic impasse over what the Middle Eastern nation viewed as violation of its sovereignty in connection with the Philippine Embassy's move to "rescue" Filipino maids from their employers amid reports of abuse.

The operation was captured on video and posted on social media, and was described by Kuwait as an “inappropriate behavior." The Philippine government has since apologized for it.

Manila, however, protested the expulsion of Ambassador Renato Villa, the arrest warrants against its three diplomats, and the detention of four other Filipinos hired by the Philippine Embassy.

“Kinasuhan nila ng kidnapping. Ang sinasabi nila, dahil nasa bahay 'yung isa, parang kinuha natin, kinidnap. Ine-explain natin that we don't respond unless, first, we coordinate with them,” Cayetano said at a press conference following the arrival of Villa to the country.

“That's why [out of] 38 rescues, 35 were coordinated. 'Yung tatlo,naniniwala tayong kailangan aksyunan kaagad; we did it ourselves which is acceptable, and it is a duty under the international law but it was commotion to them.”

Cayetano added the embassy staff were covered by diplomatic immunity “and even if they're not, there was no crime.”

“That's why I said, I apologized if our actions seemed to violate your sovereignty. But let me assure you, it's in the spirit of protecting our nationals,” the Cabinet official said, noting the Philippine government is “trying to fix” the “misunderstanding” with Kuwait.

“We're getting near to understanding each other.”

President Rodrigo Duterte has since urged Filipinos in Kuwait to come home, saying while he is thankful for the years that the Gulf nation allowed Filipinos to there, he cannot allow Filipinos to suffer abuses. — RSJ, GMA News