18 July 2005 – Secretary of Foreign Affairs Alberto G. Romulo advised the Philippine Embassy and Consulate General in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) of  the existing instructions to all Foreign Service Posts on security measures for the premises and personnel to ensure  the uninterrupted delivery of  essential services to their clients.

Secretary Romulo issued this reminder in the light of the report from Consul General Pendosina N. Lomondot of the Philippine Consulate General in Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA), regarding a melee inside the Consulate premises involving a group of OFWs representing an NGO in the KSA and the Consulate’s welfare officer and security staff.

According to the report of Consul General Lomondot, on 16 July 2005, around 3:00 p.m. (local time) which was during the normal working hours and while the Consulate staff was serving the clients, a group of 3 men and 5 women entered the Consulate premises and tried to stage a protest using the tenants of the Filipino Workers’ Resource Center (FWRC) as a horde to voice out “Oust GMA” slogans.

The Consulate’s security staff and Welfare Officer Anwar Ampang accosted the protesting OFWs and advised them to stop this action as it was affecting the work of the staff.  Welfare Officer Ampang also explained to the protesters that coaxing the tenants of the FWRC, all of whom were women, to leave the Consulate premises would be detrimental to the safety of the tenants.  A fistfight suddenly broke out among the parties.

Consul General Lomondot and other Consulate staff were able to break up the fight, and invited the 8 protesting OFWs to a conference where they ventilated their concerns on  labor and employment conditions.   The Consul General, Philippine Overseas Labor Office (POLO) officer and staff discussed their concerns, particularly the actions taken on the cases of the female FWRC tenants, to the satisfaction of the group.

At the same time, Consul General Lomondot called in the OFW doctor to examine the  parties involved in the melee.   The Consul General did not indicate any serious injuries to those involved in the fistfight.
 
In view of this incident, Secretary Romulo said “OFWs enjoy the right to express their views on current issues in the Philippines while respecting the rights of others to be provided with the services of Philippine Embassies and Consulates.”   The Secretary then reminded the Philippine Embassy and Consulate General in the KSA of the existing Foreign Service Circular to enhance security within their premises “to ensure the continuous delivery of consular and other  essential services to the clients of the Post.” END
 

/jay