THE welfare of Filipino migrant workers in Iceland is the prime reason for the possible breaking of diplomatic relations between the Philippines and Iceland, President Rodrigo Duterte said on Wednesday, July 17.
Duterte said he could not let overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) suffer from the strained ties between Manila and Reykjavik, if he chooses to keep ties with the Nordic island nation.
Diplomatic relations between the Philippines and Iceland was established on February 24, 1999.
"I learned that there are about 2,000 workers in Iceland. I have not seen any ice-eating white man here around. So sabi ko nga (I said), I am seriously considering [the severing of ties] because it might affect the relations between our citizens and the host country," he said in a television interview.
"They might not like the way we behave towards them, and so it would prompt them to take measures. I hope they do not have to do it because I will not also take it sitting down," he added.
His statement came even after Malacañang on Tuesday, July 16, expressed confidence that OFWs would not be affected by the possible end of diplomatic ties between the Philippines and Iceland.
Iceland is the country that submitted before the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) a resolution that called for a comprehensive review of Duterte's drug war.
The resolution was adopted by the UNHRC, thus, would compel UN rights chief Micelle Backelet to come up with a report on Duterte's anti-narcotics drive.
The President said it was "surprising" that Iceland "has always been a country complaining about extrajudicial killing."
Duterte said he was "seriously" considering ending ties with Iceland, despite the advice of Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro "Teddy Boy" Locsin Jr. to mend Manila's relations with Reykjavik.
"Teddy Boy Locsin said no, he’s not cutting. Ako naman (For me), I said, I am seriously considering it. He is the spokesman but the Office of the President is the sole entity that includes the Foreign Affairs [office] kasi mga Cabinet members lang man sila (because they are just Cabinet members]," he said.
"In our dealings with other nations, it is only the Office of the President of a country, he has that prerogative. Siya lang. Ako lang (It's just the President. It's me)," he added. (SunStar Philippines)