Malacañang assured the public that the government is closely monitoring the situation in Europe and the safety of Filipinos amid widespread protests, riots and looting across the region, adding that the administration is ready to provide assistance to those affected.
In a press briefing, Castro noted that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. prioritizes the welfare of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) whenever disturbances occur in other countries.
“Ang Pangulo naman po kapag may ganitong pangyayaring kaguluhan, unang-una po talaga niyang ipinag-uutos na asikasuhin kung ano ang pinagdaraanan ng ating mga kababayan sa lugar na nagkakaroon ng ganitong klaseng sitwasyon,” Castro said during a Palace briefing on Oct. 19.
She said Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Cacdac has been attending to the needs of Filipinos in Milan, Italy.
Asked whether the government was prepared for similar incidents in the Philippines amid rising commodity prices, Castro said concerned agencies were doing everything possible to provide assistance to the public.
Castro added that the government may arrange the repatriation of Filipinos if the situation deteriorates and they wish to return to the Philippines.
“Kahit na ano pong kaguluhan ang pangulo po ang prinoprotektahan ay mga OFW,” Castro stressed.
“Kung hindi magkakaroon ng kaayusan at pinagdadasal naman natin na sana ay maayos agad ang nangyayari sa nasabing mga lugar, maaari pong magpa-repatriate kung kinakailangan, iyan naman din po ang utos ng Pangulo, kung kinakailangan at gusto ng ating mga kababayan na naiipit sa ganitong klaseng sitwasyon,” she added.
The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said Monday that no Filipinos had been reported harmed in the protests and unrest in France and Italy.
Meanwhile, the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) reported that 34 OFWs who had been stranded in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, arrived in the Philippines on October 19 aboard Qatar Airways flight QR 934.
