13 December 2016 – Officials of the Philippine Embassy in Rome led by Ambassador Domingo P. Nolasco and Consul General Adrian Bernie Candolada received representatives of Migrante Europe alliance on 12 December 2016.

The Secretary General of the alliance, Ms. Ana Buendia Brusola, handed over to Ambassador Nolasco their position paper which they wanted included in the agenda of the peace talks between the Philippine government and the National Democratic Front of the Philippines.

Their concerns are summarized in a 16-page document entitled “Agenda of Filipinos in Europe for the Government of the Philippines and the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP).” The document has also been forwarded to the negotiating panels of both the Philippine government and the NDFP.

Migrante Europe was formally launched as a regional alliance of Filipino organizations from European countries in a congress held in Rome on 10-11 December 2016.

Their specific concerns covered the need to address the problem of undocumented Filipino workers, workers who require immediate repatriation, and problems related to the Filipino au pair or those enrolled in the cultural exchange program. They expressed support for the success of the peace talks and the release of all political prisoners.

Embassy officials assured the migrant group of their commitment to work for the welfare of Filipinos overseas. They agreed to submit their formal position paper to Philippine government authorities through the Department of Foreign Affairs. For issues specific to Philippine embassies in Europe, they would convey these issues to the foreign service posts concerned.

Migrante Europe counts among its members Filipino organizations in Italy, United Kingdom, The Netherlands, Austria, Switzerland, Denmark, Germany, Belgium and France. END