Five Filipinos, including a child, arrived in the country from Ukraine on Friday night, Feb, 18, as the Philippine government started its repatriation efforts over the looming armed conflict in the Eastern European country.
The first batch of Filipino repatriates was composed of a tourist, three overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) and a child whose father is a citizen of Ukraine working in Dubai.
They arrived at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 3 at around 6:45 p.m. on Friday on board a Turkish Airline flight.
In an interview, one of the OFWs said she decided to go to the Philippines to ensure her safety amid the the possible invasion of Ukraine in the coming days.
There are almost 400 Filipinos in Ukraine.
The five Filipinos were welcomed by the representatives from the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) and Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) led by Administrator Hans Leo Cacdac.
Cacdac said they are now coordinating with the DFA for the repatriation of more Filipinos.
He said the government will shoulder all the repatriation costs and for OFWs, they would be given enough support to start a business.