DOHA: New Philippine Ambassador to Qaar Wilfredo C Santos (pictured) is expected to arrive later this month.
Santos is a career diplomat with the rank of Chief of Mission, Class II in the Department of Foreign Affairs, according to the profile circulated by Alliance of Filipino Journalists in Qatar.
Prior to joining Foreign Service, he worked as a professional journalist. With 22 years’ experience in Foreign Service, Santos has served as Deputy Consul General in San Francisco, Second Secretary and Consul in Singapore and Third Secretary and Vice Consul in Kuwait.
He has the distinction of having worked for three Foreign Affairs secretaries — Blas Ople, Delia Domingo Albert and Alberto G Romulo.
He has led Philippine delegations to international meetings and conferences in countries, including China, Indonesia, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam, Turkey, Austria, Qatar and Korea.
Santos is a recipient of Order of Lakandula, a political and civic merit which is one of the highest honours given by the Philippines.
The sixth Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to Qatar replaces Crescente R Relacion who completed his tenure as Chief of Mission last month.
Recently, Emir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani awarded Relacion the Sash of Merit during the latter’s farewell call at the Emiri Diwan in recognition of his meritorious service. This was the first time a Sash of Merit was given to a Philippine envoy. The Peninsula
