2 expelled Iraqis ask for extension

The two Iraqi diplomats who were expelled for espionage are requesting Malacañang to allow them to stay in the country until the end of the week to enable their three children take their school examinations, a senior DFA official said yesterday.

The DFA official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said Iraqi First Secretary Abdul Karim Shwaik and Iraqi commercial attaché Karim Nassir Hamid, were expelled on Monday by Foreign Affairs Secretary Blas Ople and given 72 hours to leave the country.

The source added that Shwaik, Hamid and their families are scheduled to leave the country at 4 p.m. today on board a Malaysian Airlines flight for Kuala Lumpur.

Ople refused to give details about the expelled Iraqi diplomats, but he expressed confidence they will leave the country before the 72 hours deadline expires this afternoon.

"You can rule that out of the question because they will leave the country as scheduled," Ople answered angrily when asked what will be the next step of the DFA if the Iraqis refused to leave today. – Jose Rodel Clapano