Senatorial candidate Herbert “Bistek” Bautista on Thursday called on telecommunication companies in the Philippines to ensure unimpeded communication between the estimated 300 Filipinos in Ukraine and their families here as tension between Russia and Ukraine rages.

Bautista appealed to the Philippines’ top telcos—Globe, Smart and Dito—to provide priority communication lines to Filipinos in Ukraine and their families in the Philippines.

“If possible, let’s give them free or lower costing calls during the duration of the crisis,” said Bautista, who is running for senator in the upcoming May 2022 elections.

“In times of uncertainty, the worst that could happen to families and their loved ones is to lose communications,” he said.

The three-term mayor of Quezon City who advocated for the welfare of OFW families in the city, at the same time, welcomed the assurance given by the country’s foreign affairs department.

“I welcome the statement of Secretary Locsin that Philippine focus is on the 300 Filipinos in Ukraine,” said Bautista, referring to Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr.

“We also, however, appeal to our telcos to provide unimpeded communication between our countrymen in Ukraine and their families here,” said Bautista,

“This would help ease the anxiety of their relatives here,” he said.

Russian troops have reportedly advanced to territories inside Ukraine and were reported to have sent more tanks and other war equipment at Ukraine’s boundary.

The United States and its North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) allies warned that a full-scale invasion is coming soon. News reports also said loud explosions were heard near the Ukranian capital of Kyiv.

“I’m sure our government is already preparing for the eventuality. But the most important thing is that our countrymen in Ukraine don’t lose communication with their relatives here,” he said.