19 August 2017, Dubai, UAE.  The Philippine Consulate General in Dubai and the Dubai Police co-hosted a Special Community Forum with the Filipino expatriate community in Dubai and the Northern Emirates on Saturday, 19 August 2017, at the Landmark Grand Hotel.

Consul General Paul Raymund Cortes welcomed the collaboration between the Philippine Consulate and the police authorities, noting that the Forum was the first of its kind, wherein high-ranking officials from different divisions in Dubai Police discuss, disseminate, and update information about UAE laws, legal procedures, and regulations.

Led by Lt. Col. Saeed Abdullah Al Qemzi, Deputy Director in the General Department of Criminal Investigation, the police officials took turns in discussing various issues including human trafficking, the proper use of social media, traffic rules and regulations, drugs, alcohol, immorality issues, and Dubai Police’s smart services.

The Consul General underscored the need to provide the community factual information on these issues as the UAE hopes that Filipinos and other ethnicities become active partners in creating a tolerant, peaceful and an economically productive nation.  He urged the more than 150 Filcom leaders and members in attendance to be aware of the laws and regulations of the host country and to share with other members of the community items discussed during the Forum.

The Forum is a product of the close coordination and planning between the Consulate and Lt. Col. Tariq Sultan Hilal, Head of the Diplomatic and Consular Affairs. Members of the community commended tis initiative as an avenue for dialogue and increased awareness of procedures in the UAE. It also strengthens the partnership between the Dubai Police and the Filipino community in the UAE. END