Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez on Wednesday commended President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. for his unwavering commitment to the safety and well-being of Filipinos in the Middle East affected as Israel ramps up its offensive against Hezbollah targets in Lebanon.
The Speaker was with President Marcos when the Chief Executive held a video conference with his Cabinet during his participation in the ASEAN Summit in Laos to get updates on the ongoing government efforts to secure the safety and well-being of Filipinos in the Middle East.
"The President's decision to prioritize the safety of our countrymen, even while attending the 44th and 45th ASEAN Summit in Laos, reflects his deep concern and dedication to every Filipino," Speaker Romualdez said.
In an ambush interview with reporters in Laos, Romualdez noted that the video conference “was an urgent call to assess the situation.”
“There was growing tension in the Middle East and we have to secure our Filipinos there. We wanted to make the security arrangements and assure them that amidst the growing tensions, we secure our Filipinos in the region,” Speaker Romualdez told the media.
In his speech before his departure to Laos, President Marcos gave assurance that the Philippine government is doing everything it can to ensure the safety of over 40,000 Filipino nationals in Lebanon and Israel and “to bring them home so that they have a place that they can feel safe in, so long as they ask to come home.”
President Marcos said concerned Philippine embassies have been coordinating with the Filipino community on this matter and working on securing exit papers and transportation for those returning.
According to the President, out of the 1,500 initial applicants for repatriation from Lebanon, a third have already gone home, while another third, around 500, are still having their papers processed.
He said that for October, the Department of Migrant Workers and the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration, will be bringing home at least 162 distressed OFWs from Israel.
President Marcos also directed the secretaries of the DFA and the DMW and the administrator of OWWA to report to me with updates daily.
He urged all parties to refrain from escalating the violence and to work towards a peaceful resolution of the conflict.
“The Philippines will always stand for the principles of international law and the safety of Filipinos in the Philippines and overseas,” President Marcos said.
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