Sen. Francis “Chiz” Escudero has backed President Rodrigo Duterte’s decision to stop the deployment of Filipino workers to Kuwait, saying the administration should not shirk its duty to protect the workers and should not be subservient to other countries.

Escudero, in a television interview, also rejected suggestions that the President should apologize to Kuwait for the conduct of Philippine Embassy officials during a mission to rescue distressed workers.

“That subservient tone and that subservient attitude is actually what got us here right now,” Escudero said on ANC.

He noted that in 2016 alone, 200 Filipino workers were killed and 22 others committed suicide in Kuwait.

In 2017, there were over 1,500 complaints of abuse and maltreatment in the Gulf state.

“And then we will say sorry?” he said.

Because Kuwait also needs the Filipino workers, it softened its stance against the Philippines after the President said he would no longer allow Filipinos to go there for work following its expulsion of Philippine Ambassador Renato Pedro Villa, the senator said.

“They should not backtrack on the position to protect the rights and welfare of Filipino workers living abroad,” he added. —Leila B. Salaverria

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