DFA praised for ensuring Filipinos’ safety in Ukraine

[ASEAN NOW News]

HOME. Filipinos and their Ukrainian partners and children arrive in Manila from Ukraine on March 6, 2022. The evacuees have fled the war-torn nation following the invasion of Russia in February. (Photo courtesy of DFA-OUMWA)

 

MANILA – Taguig-Pateros Rep. Alan Peter Cayetano on Thursday lauded the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) for its continuing the repatriation and evacuation of Filipinos in war-torn Ukraine.

 

Cayetano made the statement after the DFA raised the crisis alert level 4 for all areas in Ukraine "due to the deteriorating security situation", paving the way for the mandatory evacuation for all Filipinos.

 

According to the DFA website, Alert Level 4 is issued when there is a “large-scale internal conflict or full-blown external attack” in the country.

 

“We are grateful for the constant efforts of the DFA in making sure our kababayans in Ukraine are safe. Let us continue praying for their safety and the situation abroad,” Cayetano said.

 

He said time is “of the essence” for the repatriation of Filipinos.

 

“I’m sure the DFA and Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) are rushing to keep them safe. The families of our overseas Filipino workers are getting anxious and I’m sure the DFA and DOLE are rushing to keep them safe," he said.

 

In a Laging Handa briefing on Wednesday, Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Sarah Lou Arriola said 63 Filipinos have been repatriated and more are expected to arrive in the coming days.

 

At least 136, meanwhile, are waiting for their repatriation from different European nations after crossing Ukrainian borders.

 

Prior to DFA's first batch of repatriates, there were an estimated 380 Filipinos living and working in Ukraine.

 

Cayetano said the recently signed law creating the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) would help streamline and speed up services for the country's overseas workers, especially those in distress.

 

“OFWs are a priority for me, and to know that the government is showing importance to our OFWs is good news for me,” he said.

 

He also expressed support for the government’s initiative, through the Executive Department, to offer a safe haven for displaced persons affected by the Ukraine-Russia conflict.

 

Last week, Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra said Ukrainians fleeing the Russian invasion are welcome to the Philippines.

 

This came after President Rodrigo Roa Duterte issued Executive Order (EO) 163 on February 28, institutionalizing access to protection services for refugees, stateless persons, and asylum seekers.

 

“These shall include the provision of access to socioeconomic services, social security benefits, gainful employment and humane working conditions, education, participation in judicial and administrative citizenship proceedings, legal assistance and access to courts, and freedom of religion," the order read.

 

The EO is in accordance with the 1951 United Nations Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees and its 1967 Protocol, the 1954 UN Convention Relating to the Status of Stateless Person, and the 1961 Convention on the Reduction of Statelessness. (PNA)

 

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