OWWA, DFA execs seek confirmation on Brunei case involving Ilongga nurse
Diplomatic channels were tapped over the weekend to get official confirmation on the reported arrest of an Ilongga nurse charged for grand-scale theft and robbery inside the Royal Palace of the Royal Family of Brunei.
With no advisories nor reports from Central Offices of either the Department of Foreign Affairs and the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA), regional chiefs here of both government agencies were not aware nor apprised of the incident.
However with the matter reported by the local media and addressed by the city's top cop, OWWA Chief Robert Basig told The News Today (TNT) that efforts are underway to validate the report and secure an advisory.
This, as Basig assured of OWWA's legal assistance once the Philippine Embassy in Bandar Seri Begawan assumes jurisdiction of the case.
The standard practice, he added, is for the Central Office to notify regional offices concerned in order for them to act on the matter and get the welfare case officer 'activated.'
Similar statement from DFA's Liza Jane Estalilla who explained to TNT that no official communication was received by her office nor any advice on the supposed arrest of any Filipino citizen in Brunei, much less within the employ of the Royal Family.
Yet should there be one, Estalilla assured of corresponding assistance coursed thru the Philippine Embassy in Brunei.
'Common' practice though in Islamic countries would be to hold any suspect with no communications yet to the embassy or consulate of the suspect until a case is ready to be filed.
As confirmed by Senior Supt. Norlito Bautista, Iloilo City Police Office Director, members of the Brunei Police accompanied by a supposed agent of the International Police (Interpol) were in town two weeks back.
Purpose of the visit was to conduct a lifestyle check on the Ilongga nurse's family said to be residents of Mandurriao District, Iloilo City.