The Department of Foreign Affairs accounts some 181 Filipino nationals in Ukraine, the great majority of which are in Kyiv. Our Embassy in Warsaw placed great efforts in counting and accounting for every kababayan.
Aside from regular weekly meetings with our Filipino community in Ukraine, the DFA through our Embassy in Warsaw sent a Team on the ground in Lviv last 17 February 2022. From Lviv in the west, and Kyiv right at the heart of Ukraine, through our Philippine Honorary Consulate General, the DFA is managing the repatriation of our nationals.
Six (6) of our kababayans arrived last 18 February. As we speak, four (4) who arranged for voluntary repatriation are to depart today, 24 February 2022, from Kyiv. We expect them to arrive tomorrow here in Manila and we will be at the airport to welcome them home.
Our kababayans’ safe and prompt repatriation is the Department’s top priority. These efforts are a product of close coordination between our Philippine Honorary Consulate General in Kyiv, our Embassy Team in Lviv, the Embassy in Warsaw, and the Office of the Undersecretary for Migrant Workers’ Affairs (OUMWA). Their repatriation is also funded by the Department’s Assistance to Nationals fund.
As Secretary Locsin said, 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. Our Posts in Warsaw, Budapest, and Moscow, as well as the rest of our European Posts, are on standby for any eventuality.
For now, 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.
We also wish to assure our kababayans that the DFA will maintain its presence in Lviv in support of the Consulate General in Kyiv as long as there is a clear and present need.
Rest assured that your DFA is always working for and because of you. (DFA)
