By Genalyn Kabiling President Duterte could be given an exemption to the travel ban imposed by Kuwait on travelers from the Philippines, a Palace official said Tuesday. Presidential Spokesman Salvador Panelo
(OPS / MANILA BULLETIN) Presidential spokesman Salvador Panelo said the government may request Kuwait to allow the President to visit the Gulf state. “Puwede namang pag-usapan iyan government to government (There can be a government-to-government agreement). They can always exempt the President,” he said during a Palace press briefing. Asked if the government will request Kuwait to exempt Duterte from the travel restriction, Panelo said: “Siguro. Halimbawa, if I call somebody … or the ambassador calls the head of Kuwait at sinabing the President desires to go there, ‘Sige, ayos.’ Oh di ba, sila-sila na ang mag-uusap niyan (Maybe. For example, if I call somebody or the ambassador calls the head of Kuwait and say the president desires to go there, 'Ok fine.' They will talk among themselves),” he said. Duterte had earlier announced that he intends to visit Kuwait and would seek the maximum penalty for the suspects behind the death of a Filipino worker. Panelo, however, said no date has been set on the President's planned visit to Kuwait. Kuwait recently imposed a travel ban on the Philippines following the outbreak of cases of the coronavirus diseases. All flights to Kuwait from the Philippines, Bangladesh, Egypt, India, Lebanon, Sri Lanka, and Syria have also been reportedly suspended as a precaution against the spread of the coronavirus.