The government will try to bring Filipinos to safety out of Sudan during the 72-hour ceasefire observance in the war-torn country, President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. said. President Ferdinand 'Bongbong' Marcos Jr. (Photo courtesy of Malacañang)
Marcos disclosed on Tuesday, April 25, that Migrant Workers Secretary Susan Ople is now on her way to attempt to evacuate Filipinos in the country during the 72-hour ceasefire. “Right now, we are hoping that the 72-hour ceasefire that has been declared will hold and we will — we are preparing ourselves,” Marcos said. "We are preparing ourselves. In fact, Secretary Ople is on her way to the area para kung sakali man, matuloy yung sinasabing 72hours na ceasefire e makapag-take advantage tayo, mailabas natin ang mga tao natin (to take advantage of the 72-hour ceasefire to get our people)," Marcos said. They will, however, have to find ways to get into the areas where Filipinos are (staying) as airports and land routes "are not completely safe." The President said the government is considering Saudi Arabia and Djibouti in East Africa as possible destinations although the original plan was to take Filipinos to Cairo, Egypt, despite this being a longer route.

WATCH: President Marcos says the gov't is looking if there is a window of opportunity to bring Filipinos out of Sudan following the 72-hour ceasefire declaration in the war-torn country. @manilabulletin pic.twitter.com/k31sQehn1H

— Betheena Unite (@MB_unite) April 25, 2023

“So we’re trying — we’re watching this situation very, very closely and to see if there’s a window of opportunity na mailabas natin ang mga Philippine nationals natin (to bring out Philippine nationals out),” he added. The United States announced on Monday that the warring factions in Sudan had agreed to a 72-hour ceasefire starting at midnight on April 24. US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken said the agreement between the Sudanese Armed Forces, or SAF, and the Rapid Support Forces, or RSF, came following intense negotiation. The US, Blinken said, will coordinate with regional and international partners, and Sudanese civilian stakeholders to assist in the creation of a committee to oversee the negotiation, conclusion, and implementation of a permanent cessation of hostilities and humanitarian arrangements in Sudan.