H.E. Ambassador Abdulmaid K. Muin pays a courtesy call to H.E. President Dr. Jose Ramos-Horta at the Presidential Palace in Dili, Timor-Leste today in anticipation of Ambassador Muin’s end of tour of duty on the 30th of June 2022.
Ambassador Muin’s message to the President:
“Good morning, Your Excellency Dr. Jose Ramos-Horta, President of the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste. First and foremost, in behalf of H.E. Rodrigo Roa Duterte, President of the Republic of the Philippines, I wish to sincerely congratulate you on your re-election as President of Timor-Leste.
It has not been too long ago in the month of September in 2017 when I first set foot on the soil of Timor-Leste to assume as Head of Post of the Philippine Embassy in Dili. I met you that same day at the airport in Dili, together with ASEAN Heads of Posts in Timor-Leste who were there for my courtesy welcome. Incidentally, you were there as you were flying abroad as an ordinary citizen. And, as you took the time to warmly welcome me also, it marked our first of more fruitful and meaningful meetings to come.
Today after more than five years, I meet you as the newly re-elected President of your lovely country, Timor-Leste. This time, it is I who is on my way out as I will very soon be completing my tour of duty in Timor-Leste this 30th of June 2022. Inshallah.
I call on you today, your Excellency, as I respectfully inform you, the President, of the conclusion of my term as Philippine Ambassador to Timor-Leste. I would also like to thank the Timorese government for all our fruitful and productive engagements notwithstanding the COVID-19 pandemic. The Philippines and Timor-Leste shall without a doubt continue our very friendly and close relationship as neighbors and brothers in Southeast Asia, and hopefully soon, as co-members of the ASEAN.
On a personal note, I wish to thank you, your Excellency, for your support and assistance throughout the past years prior your current Presidency in addressing the plight of our four former Filipino prisoners in Timor-Leste. They have since been released and are were brought back home to the Philippines in November 2020. We still have one remaining Filipino national who is incarcerated in Timor-Leste and considering the development in his case, and following fair and Constitutional remedies, I am hopeful that he may be granted an early release.
Finally, I would like to extend to Your Excellency the heartfelt gratitude and appreciation of the entire Filipino Community in Timor-Leste — 1,650-strong. My kababayans particularly feel close to Your Excellency as you have in numerous occasions graced Philippine Embassy and Filipino community events — from our Independence Day celebrations to the most recent grand launching of the first ever Filipino-Timorese large scale Mural at the Chancery just last year wherein you were the guest of honor.
Your Excellency, I wish you good and robust health, a strong and dependable government, and genuine success as you embark once again in the most noble journey of leading Timor-Leste and the Timorese people as President into a brighter tomorrow.
Maraming salamat at mabuhay. Viva, Timor-Leste!
(left to right) Mr. German N. Monteras, Administrative Assistant, Mr. Laser Blitz B. Sumagaysay, Third Secretary and Vice Consul, H.E. Ambassador Abdulmaid K. Muin, H.E. President Dr. Jose Ramos-Horta and his staff.