105 repatriated OFWs from Kuwait to arrive in Manila Thursday

A total of 105 overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) from Kuwait granted amnesty by the Amir – the Middle East country’s head of state – are due to arrive in Manila late Thursday. In a release, Vice President Jejomar Binay, who is also the presidential adviser on OFW concerns, said the 105 repatriates are set to arrive at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport around 10:30 pm on Thursday. The 105, according to Binay, are part of the 286 wards at the Filipino Workers Resource Center (FWRC) in Kuwait who are covered by the amnesty issued by Kuwaiti Amir Sheik Sabah Al-Ahmed A-Jaber Al Sabah. (See: Over 200 Pinoys in Kuwait get amnesty after VP Binay visit) Repatriation tickets for the remaining 181 are currently being arranged, the Vice President said. The rest will follow as soon as their plane tickets are arranged. Binay went on a one-week special visit to Kuwait late February, carrying with him an appeal from President Benigno Aquino III asking the Amir for amnesty for OFWs charged with minor offenses, and pardon for those currently detained. “We are most grateful to the government of Kuwait for this accommodation. It affirms the strong ties between the Philippines and Kuwait," he said. Binay was Aquino’s representative to Kuwait’s celebration of its 50th year of Independence, the 20th anniversary of its Liberation from Saddam’s occupation forces, and the 5th anniversary of the ascension to power of its present Amir. While in the Middle East, he also visited Filipino communities in Abu Dhabi and Dubai in the United Arab Emirates. Binay, however, failed to secure an audience with the King of Saudi Arabia, where some 1,200 OFWs are likewise jailed for petty offenses according to OFW group Migrante-Middle East. This was after Binay failed to get an entry visa to the Kingdom, as the Philippine Embassy in Riyadh was unable to schedule him for a meeting with King Abdullah Bin Abdul Aziz Al Saud. (See: PHL Embassy fails to secure Binay audience with Saudi King) Binay upon his return to Manila revealed, however, that a few hours before his flight back to Manila, he received word that the King was ready to receive him and his delegation. But Binay said he had to ask for the meeting to be rescheduled as he had “pressing official duties" back home.—Jerrie M. Abella/JV, GMA News