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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Marcos apologizes to Filipinos in Dubai: 'I will make it up to you'

Marcos apologizes to Filipinos in Dubai: 'I will make it up to you'

Published Nov 30, 2023 11:35 pm

President Marcos has apologized to the Filipino community in Dubai for canceling his supposed trip to the United Arab Emirates, saying he will make it up to them.

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In a video message, Marcos said he felt sad for missing the Filipino community gathering in Dubai on Thursday, Nov. 31, which was supposed to be his first engagement upon arriving in the country.

"I feel very bad that I will not able to do it with you this time. Ngunit ipinapangako ko sa inyo pagka nagkaroon ng iba pang pagkakataon ay gagawin natin ulit 'yan at (But I promise you if we have the chance, we will do it again and) I will make it up to you," Marcos said in a recorded video released on Thursday night.

He explained that he opted to cancel his trip to Dubai to personally address important developments in the case of the 17 Filipino seafarers.

"Alam naman ninyo may mga bagay na kailangan agad na asikasuhin. Isa na dun yung ating mga kababayan, mga kapwa Pilipino natin na na-hostage, 17 sila na na-hostage at ginagawa natin lahat ng paraan upang sila ay maiuwi na (You must know that there are things we need to attend to. One of them is the Filipinos being held hostage, there are 17 of them and we are doing everything we can to bring them home,” Marcos said.

He added that a delegation is now being formed to negotiate in the hostage situation and bring the Filipinos home.

"Kaya’t, siguro naman maunawaan ninyo, na inuna muna natin ‘yan dahil kailangan nating tiyakin ang syempre ang seguridad ng ating mga kababayan (So I hope you understand that because we need to ensure their safety and security),” he added.

The President expressed that he was looking forward to meeting the Filipino community gathered in Dubai, and assured them that he will meet them in another opportunity in the future.

"Nakakapanghinayang nga dahil I was looking forward to being with you dahil alam n'yo sa lahat ang aking pagbabiyahe, ang pinakamasaya sa lahat ng byahe na 'yan ay kapag nagkikita tayong mga Pilipino, e dahil syempre pagka maraming Pilipino, laging masaya, laging may kantahan, laging may tawanan (It is regrettable because I was looking forward to being with you because in all our trips, meeting with Filipinos is the happiest part, because when Filipinos gather, it's always a  joy, there is merrymaking, and laughter)," Marcos said.

The Chief Executive also thanked them for their contributions to the Philippines and to their host country through their service.

Marcos was scheduled to leave the country on Thursday morning, but he canceled it an hour before the flight. He was supposed to participate in the 2023 United Nations Climate Change Conference or Conference of the Parties, more commonly referred to as COP28.

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