Release of 9 Pinoys in Maldives, Sri Lanka caps RP envoy's career

A retiring Philippine envoy ended her career on a doubly positive note after she secured the release of nine Filipinos detained in Maldives and in Sri Lanka.

Maldives President Mohamed Nasheed ordered the release of seven overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in Maafushi Prison as a farewell gift to Ambassador Zenaida Rabago.

"This was as a gesture of goodwill and as a farewell gift to the Ambassador, who is retiring from the foreign service," the Department of Foreign Affairs said in its website.

For his part, Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa ordered officials to work on the release and deportation of two Filipinos jailed for illegal recruitment.

Rabago paid farewell calls to high officials of the Maldivian and Sri Lankan Governments from May 22 to 25.

Until her retirement, she served as the country's non-resident Ambassador to Maldives and Sri Lanka.

The DFA said the seven OFWs in Maldives, who were working in the hospitality industry there, pleaded guilty to credit card theft and fraud and were sentenced to 25 years in prison in February 2009.

But the DFA and the Philippine Embassy had sought avenues for their release or deportation through the recently approved "Clemency Law," which empowers the President to grant pardons to prisoners.

On the other hand, Rabago also reiterated the country's request to Maldives for support for its bid for Observer Status in the Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC).

"The Maldivian President gladly obliged, and informed her that he will personally write the OIC Secretary-General of his country's strong support," the DFA said.

In turn, Nasheed requested the Ambassador for support for an Asian Summit on climate change.

He also intimated to Rabago the hiring of Filipino professionals from the medical, entertainment, and educational fields, the DFA said.

Rabago, during her farewell call to Sri Lankan President Rajapaksa, appealed for the deportation of two Filipinos held in prison for alleged violation of Sri Lankan immigration laws.

She stressed the protection of Filipinos as one of the pillars of the country's foreign policy.

The DFA added the two Filpinos detained in Sri Lanka already served seven months in jail while awaiting formal charges from the Sri Lankan government.

Meanwhile, the Sri Lankan government also reiterated its request for the Philippine government to re-open its Embassy in Colombo and commended the Philippines as role model in protecting and safeguarding the rights of Filipino migrant workers. — LBG, GMANews.TV

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