Bahrain assures help on OFW protection, fight vs extremism

PARTNERS FOR CHANGE. The Philippines is getting support from other countries in promoting the welfare of Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs).

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) disclosed on Monday that the Kingdom of Bahrain is supporting Philippine efforts not only in OFW protection but also in forging economic ties and countering violent extremism.

“We are going home with assurances from the Crown Prince, the Prime Minister and the Foreign Minister of Bahrain that they are friends and partners the Philippines can count on,” said DFA Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano after his two-day official visit to Manama.

The Bahrain government’s support for the Philippines and the OFWs working there was reiterated by Prime Minister Khalifa Bin Salman Al Khalifa whom Cayetano met.

“The Prime Minister informed us about a number of initiatives that Bahrain is taking to further protect the rights and promote the welfare of Filipinos and other expatriate workers,” Cayetano said.

Aside from commending the 60,000 Filipinos working in Bahrain, the Prime Minister has expressed his government’s willingness to accept more OFWs during their meeting at the Gudaibiya Palace.

“Prime Minister Khalifa told us that we have nothing to worry about as far as our workers are concerned and he even gave his personal assurance that his office will deal with any problem that may involve our kababayans,” Cayetano added.

Cayetano also met with Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa at the Alzahir Palace on Sunday. They discussed areas that could further strengthen bilateral relations between the Philippines and Bahrain such as trade and investment and countering violent extremism.

“The Crown Prince also expressed admiration for President Duterte’s strong and decisive action in fighting terrorism in Marawi,” Cayetano said.

The DFA secretary also discussed the plans for the 1st High Joint Commission Meeting between the two states with Foreign Minister Sheikh Khalid bin Ahmed Al-Khalifa, which is going to be held in Manila.

Prime Minister Khalifa already met with Foreign Affairs Undersecretary for Migrant Workers Affairs Sarah Lou Arriola two weeks prior to Secretary Cayetano’s visit to Manama.

Arriola praised the Bahrain government in that meeting for its efforts in placing processes that will help protect the Filipinos and other expatriate workers there.

During his visit, DFA secretary Cayetano was accompanied by his wife Maria Laarni Cayetano, Special Envoy to the Gulf Cooperation Council Amable Aguiluz V, Ambassador Alfonso Ferdinand Ver, and Foreign Affairs Assistant Secretary for Middle East and Africa Affairs Hjayceelyn Quintana.

via Philippine News Agency / Joyce Ann L. Rocamora