The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on Thursday, Feb. 24, appealed to Filipinos in Ukraine not to panic as it assured that repatriation efforts are currently ongoing amid an impending Russian invasion.
Aris Messinis / AFP
"We urge our kababayans in Ukraine not to panic but to exercise caution and mind their movement, to keep their vigilance, and to maintain communication with the Philippine Embassy Team in Lviv or the Consulate General in Kyiv should they need any assistance," the DFA said in a statement.
The DFA also assured Filipinos there that it will maintain its presence in Lviv in support of the Consulate General in Kyiv as long as there is a "clear and present need."
According to the DFA, the Philippine government sent last Feb. 17 a consular team to Ukraine's western city of Lviv to ensure faster coordination with the Filipino community and relevant authorities.
The Department also reiterated the statement of Foreign Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. that the safe and prompt repatriation of Filipinos of Ukraine is their top priority.
"Our chief and singular concern is to take out of harm’s way our fellow Filipinos in Ukraine and bring them to the nearest places of safety by the fastest possible way," Locsin said.
"Our Posts in Warsaw, Budapest, and Moscow, as well as the rest of our European Posts, are on standby for any eventuality," he added.
Aside from conducting regular meetings with the community, the DFA said it has been managing the repatriation of Filipinos across Ukraine with the Embassy in Warsaw and the Philippine Honorary Consulate General.
Six Filipinos have already arrived in the country from Ukraine last Feb. 18, while four from Kyiv have already been arranged for voluntary repatriation and are set to depart Thursday, Feb. 24.
"We expect them to arrive here in Manila and we will be at the airport to welcome them home," the DFA said.
Approximately 380 Filipinos are living in Ukraine, most of whom are in Kyiv and located far from the eastern border near Russia.