Staff Reporter :
Dhaka on Sunday sought support of Philippines government in recovering Bangladesh Bank’s (BB) money, lost in a cyber heist in February 2016.
The urge was made while outgoing Philippines Ambassador Vicente Vivencio T. Bandillo made his farewell call on foreign minister Dr AK Abdul Momen in the capital, a foreign ministry press release said. During the meeting, Dr Momen thanked the Philippines government for all out support to Bangladesh government in getting back $15 million of the $81 million stolen by the hackers.
The foreign minister expressed his hope that the Filipino government would continue support till the remainder of the money is recovered.
Assuring Dhaka of his government’s full support to Bangladesh Bank on the money recovery issue, the envoy said that Philippines has initiated some measures to combat money laundering.
Dr Momen also sought Philippines’ support on voluntary and sustainable repatriation of the Rohingyas levering its influence on Myanmar government.
The foreign minister requested Philippines to exert political pressure on Myanmar together with all ASEAN members to take back the Rohingyas.
He said Bangladesh has long been proposing formation of an ASEAN led non-military civilian observer group but Myanmar has not been coming forward positively to implement this proposal.
Dr Momen cautioned that if the Rohingya issue is not resolved immediately, radical elements can take advantage of the displacement and regional as well as international security would certainly be jeopardized.
Terming the Philippines as a global leader in the services sector particularly nursing, marine engineering and seafaring, foreign minister said that Bangladesh is keen to sign the pending MoU on nursing education with the Philippines as early as possible and initiate exchange programmes of students and staff nurses between the two countries.
The Ambassador assured the minister to do the needful for completing the MoU soon.
