The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) appeared to downplay the return of three Filipino diplomats who had been threatened with arrest in Kuwait for helping Filipino domestic helpers flee abusive employers.
Foreign Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano, who broke the news that the three diplomats faced arrest for alleged kidnapping, was not around to welcome them home.
He briefly returned to Manila on May 16 then left again for Hawaii with other top Philippine officials to meet with newly appointed officials of the US Pacific Command over the weekend.
Refuge
The DFA did not give official notice or statement to media about the return of the diplomats on Friday, May 18, nearly a month since a diplomatic row broke out with Kuwait.
During the flight home, the three diplomats were accompanied by Special Envoy Abdullah Mama-o.