THIRTEEN more Filipinos were evacuated from Ukraine amid a devastating invasion by Russia, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said on Sunday.
“We are on high-alert 24/7 to ensure that Filipinos are safe in this conflict,” Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro L. Locsin, Jr. said in a statement after welcoming the Filipinos in Warsaw, which has allowed the visa-free entry of Filipinos fleeing Ukraine.
“Our embassies in Poland and Hungary have been working hard these past days to account for each Filipino in Ukraine, and to repatriate them as soon as possible,” he added.
There are about 380 Filipinos in Ukraine, which Russia invaded last week.
Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Sarah Lou Y. Arriola told DZBB radio Mr. Locsin would remain at the border of Poland as long as necessary. Repatriation from Ukraine remains voluntary.
Philippine Ambassador to Poland Leah Basinang-Ruiz earlier said the government would help Filipinos leave Ukraine and go to Poland, where they can board a plane to the Philippines.
The Philippine Embassy “is committed to assisting the remaining Filipinos in Kyiv and in other parts of Ukraine in order to bring them out of harm’s way while there is still time,” she said.
On Saturday, more than 40 Filipinos evacuated Kyiv, the capital of Ukraine, and arrived in Lviv. DFA said more Filipinos were expected to arrive in the coming days.
Filipinos in Ukraine should exercise caution and remain vigilant, and contact the Philippine Embassy team in Lviv or the Consulate General in Kyiv if they need help, the agency said. — Alyssa Nicole O. Tan