Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, 4 November 2004 – In a simple gathering organized by Philippine Ambassador to UAE, Ambassador Libran Cabactulan at his official residence, Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto G. Romulo met with members of the Filipino community in Abu Dhabi.

Fresh from his meeting that same evening with the new President of UAE, His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Sayed Al Nahyan, Secretary told the members of the Filipino community that he was honored to meet them as he had heard high praises for Filipinos in the UAE.

“All the officials of the UAE government that I have met have nothing but praise and admiration for Filipinos.  I am deeply honored and glad that I had the opportunity to meet you tonight,” the Secretary told the Filipino community members.  There are over 180,000 Filipinos in UAE.

“We give great meaning to our relations with your host country because of the importance we give to your welfare and well-being.  That is why I was sent by the President as her Special Envoy to convey our government’s deepest sympathies to the government and people of UAE at their moment of great loss,” the Secretary said, adding,  “We are committed to serving you and will spare no effort to ensure that you receive the best treatment possible while in foreign lands.”

The members of the Filipino community expressed appreciation for the chance to meet with the Secretary and to hold an informal dialogue with him.

A number of Filipino community members took the opportunity to convey to the Secretary their gratitude for the work of the Department while others inquired into the latest developments relating to the abduction of Filipinos in Afghanistan and Iraq.

“I was deeply touched by the strong affinity felt by the Filipinos in UAE for their compatriots in Iraq and Afghanistan.  I briefed them on the latest developments there.  I was also touched by the comments of many of them for us to carry on with what we are doing, as they believed that we are doing the best that we can to save the lives of Angelito and Robert,” the Secretary said.

 “I assured them that regardless of the difficulties, the Philippine government will protect all Filipinos, whether legal or illegal, whether documented or undocumented.  If they are Filipinos, they can expect the full attention and dedication of the Department of Foreign Affairs,” the Secretary said.

“Here in the UAE, I met with Filipinos who work in the palaces of royal families, who run our Filipino schools, who handle the accounts of companies, who provide medical care for the people, who care for children and run households, who build roads and buildings, even those who have had problems in their work.  I was impressed not only by their professionalism and dedication, but also by their continued love for the Philippines and faith in our leadership,” the Secretary said.

The Secretary also thanked the Filipino community for their contribution to Philippine growth and progress.  “You are important contributors to Philippine nation building and all of us back in the Philippines deeply appreciates your role building a strong republic,” the Secretary said. END.