DFA: Filipina teen bound for Brazil finally allowed to fly out of KL

 News
Jul 232013
 

By

4:39 pm | Tuesday, July 23rd, 2013

An Air France-KLM plane on an airport tarmac. The airline reportedly prevented an 18-year-old indigenous Filipino woman, who was en route to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, for World Youth Day from boarding on her onward flight on July 20 at the Kuala Lumpur airport because she appeared “not ready to travel” even if she had a folder with full documentation supporting her trip to Brazil. PHOTO FROM AIRFRANCEKLM-FINANCE.COM

MANILA, Philippines — The Filipino teen barred from boarding her connecting flight to Brazil from Kuala Lumpur was finally able to push through with her trip to participate in the World Youth Day in Rio de Janeiro, the Department of Foreign Affairs confirmed on Tuesday.

Citing a report from the Philippine Embassy in Malaysia, DFA spokesperson Assistant Secretary Raul Hernandez said that 18-year-old Arjean Marie Belco took a KLM Airlines flight on Tuesday after her sponsor, GoodX.org, managed to rebook her connecting flight to Brazil.

“Upon learning of the incident, our Embassy in Kuala Lumpur immediately contacted Ms. Arjean Belco to inquire about her situation and find out how it could help. She informed the Embassy that a representative from Goodx.org was already taking care of the arrangements,” Hernandez said in a text message on Tuesday.

“Per the information we received this morning, Goodx.org was able to resolve the situation and Arjean is on her way to Brazil,” he said.

Belco, a native of Bukidnon’s Talaandig tribe, was denied boarding her connecting KLM flight from Kuala Lumpur to Brazil, her sponsor said in a Facebook post. An airline employee allegedly said Belco appeared “not ready to travel,” doubting why she was flying to Brazil through Malaysia.

GoodX.org and partner organization Cartwheel Foundation had pooled contributions to fly Belco, an education student, to the global event to be graced by Pope Francis. The pontiff arrived in Brazil on Monday.

The DFA did not comment when asked whether the incident warranted an investigation.

Related story:

KLM Airlines’ denial of Filipino WYD delegate’s flight hit

Follow Us

Recent Stories:

Complete stories on our Digital Edition newsstand for tablets, netbooks and mobile phones; 14-issue free trial. About to step out? Get breaking alerts on your mobile.phone. Text ON INQ BREAKING to 4467, for Globe, Smart and Sun subscribers in the Philippines.

Tags: Arjean Marie Belco , Brazil , Global Nation , Travel , World Youth day

Factual errors? Contact the Philippine Daily Inquirer’s day desk. Believe this article violates journalistic ethics? Contact the Inquirer’s Reader’s Advocate. Or write The Readers’ Advocate:

KL rejects negotiation to end confrontation with Sulu group

 News
Mar 142013
 
KL rejects negotiation to end confrontation with Sulu group

By Allan NawalInquirer Mindanao 1:29 pm | Thursday, March 14th, 2013 Sultan of Sulu Jamalul Kiram III. AP FILE PHOTO DIGOS CITY, Philippines—The Malaysian government has closed the door to any negotiation to end the crisis in Sabah. The state-run Radio 24 reported Foreign Minister Anifah Aman as saying Malaysia will not entertain any negotiations at this time, including one being proposed by third parties such as the Philippine government. The broadcast was monitored via shortwave radio here. Asked whether Malaysia would allow third party emissaries to travel to Sabah to meet with the followers of Sultan Jamalul Kiram III there, Anifah replied, “If something bad happens to them, what effect would it have on Malaysia’s image?” Follow Us Recent Stories: Complete stories on our Digital Edition newsstand for tablets, netbooks and mobile phones; 14-issue free trial. About to step out? Get breaking alerts on your mobile.phone. Text ON INQ BREAKING to 4467, for Globe, Smart and Sun subscribers in the Philippines. Tags: Features , Foreign affairs , Phil-Malaysian Relations , Sabah claim , Sultan of Sulu Factual errors? Contact the Philippine Daily Inquirer’s day desk. Believe this article violates journalistic ethics? Contact the Inquirer’s Reader’s Advocate. Or write The Readers’ Advocate:

PH senior diplomat off to KL to iron out Sabah problem

 News
Feb 262013
 
PH senior diplomat off to KL to iron out Sabah problem

By Tarra Quismundo Philippine Daily Inquirer 5:27 pm | Tuesday, February 26th, 2013 Department of Foreign Affairs spokesman Raul Hernandez. INQUIRER.NET FILE PHOTO MANILA, Philippines—The Department of Foreign Affairs has sent a senior diplomat to Kuala Lumpur to coordinate efforts with the Malaysian authorities toward the speedy resolution of the Sabah standoff as the situation dragged on into its third week. Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Jose Brillantes is now in the Malaysian capital to help the Philippine Embassy there in expediting the resolution of the situation in Sabah, where followers of Sulu Sultan Jamalul Kiram III continue to stand their ground despite repeated appeals from the Philippine government for them to pull out. “We see that at this point in time, there would be a need for more people who would be able to help out in the coordination work….  He’s there to help Ambassador (Eduardo Malaya) to help in coordinating the  peaceful resolution of this issue in Lahad Datu,” DFA spokesperson Raul Hernandez said at a news briefing Tuesday. “Being a senior diplomat and being a former ambassador (to) Malaysia, he will also have some contacts and he would be able to coordinate well with the Malaysian authorities to be able to achieve the objectives to bring the group back home,” said Hernandez. He reiterated the Philippine government’s appeal for Kiram’s group to return home peacefully. “We don’t want to put them in harm’s way. And we believe the Kiram family are concerned about the welfare and interest of the Read More …