DFA recalls 25 political envoys

MANILA, Philippines - Twenty-five political ambassadors who are co-terminus with President Arroyo have received recall orders, a senior official of the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said yesterday.

The official, who asked not to be named, said the ambassadors recalled to the home office are Ma. Consuelo Puyat-Reyes (Santiago); Acmad Omar (Muscat); Antonio Villamor (Riyadh); Generoso Senga (Tehran); Francisco Ortigas III (Mexico); Jose Brillantes (Ottawa); Ernesto de Leon (Canberra); Orlando Mercado (ASEAN-Jakarta); Vidal Querol (Jakarta); and Ramoncito Marino (Koror).

Also recalled are Francisco Benedicto (Beijing); Noe Wong (Phnom Penh); Shirley Ho-Vicario (Port Moresby); Domingo Siazon Jr. (Tokyo); Bienvenido Tejano (Wellington); Rigoberto Tiglao (Athens); Delia Albert (Berlin); Alejandro del Rosario (Warsaw); Manuel Antonio Teehankee (Geneva WTO); Antonio Manuel Lagdameo Jr. (London); Regina Irene Sarmiento (Prague); Mercedes Tuason (Vatican); Alexander Yano (Brunei); Cardozo Luna (The Hague); and Ana Ines de Sequera-Ugarte (Madrid).

The STAR obtained a copy of Assignment Order No. 207-10 dated April 28 that was signed by Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto Romulo.

The secretary and five undersecretaries of the DFA who are political appointees and co-terminus with President Arroyo will all cease to hold office by June 30.

Romulo said he already issued a department circular before the key positions are vacated. 

He had referred to Liberal Party presidential candidate Sen. Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III as the “new president,” recognition that he is the successor of Mrs. Arroyo, during a press conference last week.

In the same press conference, DFA Undersecretary Rafael Seguis, also the DFA Overseas Absentee Voting Secretariat (DFA-OAVS) chairman, presented results of the overseas absentee voting which showed Aquino obtaining the biggest number of votes.

But the Secretary later explained that everything becomes official when Congress completes the canvassing of votes and proclaims the presidential and vice presidential winners.

Romulo evaded questions about his willingness to continue serving as DFA secretary under the new administration.

Still safe

Meantime, an embassy report said yesterday that Filipinos in Thailand are safe in light of continued violence in the country.

The Philippine embassy in Thailand reported to the DFA that the embassy has not received information on any Filipino national getting hurt or being put in mortal danger as of yesterday morning because of the political turmoil.

“The embassy has an Emergency Response Team whose primary task is to provide immediate assistance to Filipino nationals who have safety and security concerns. The embassy will provide assistance as appropriate, including immediate repatriation to the Philippines should this become necessary,” Philippine Ambassador to Bangkok Antonio Rodriguez said.

The embassy can be contacted anytime at telephone number (+66) 8 992 65954.

The DFA also said it continues to closely monitor the situation and is prepared to extend additional assistance when necessary.

“Although the Thai government has put an end to the anti-government mass rally, the political situation remains tense and would likely be so for the next couple of days. In view of this, the embassy strongly recommends that Filipinos defer all non-essential travel to Bangkok,” Rodriguez said.

A curfew was imposed over Bangkok and in 23 provinces from 8 p.m. on Wednesday to 6 a.m. yesterday.

At least 21 buildings, including the Thai Stock Exchange, several banks, the Metropolitan Electricity Authority headquarters, and the Siam Cinema in Siam Square were allegedly set on fire by demonstrators who did not agree with their leaders’ call to end the rally.

Red Shirt followers also rioted in several provinces in the northeast.

Seven members of the Red Shirt leadership surrendered to the police on Wednesday.

According to reports, seven people died and 81 were injured in the military crackdown yesterday, bringing the number of fatalities to 44 since protests started on March 12.