Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, April 13) — Secure the safety of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) amid ongoing tension between China and Taiwan, President Ferdinand Marcos directed the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA).
“Yung Manila Economic and Culture Office sa Taipei and Kaohsiung, they are in touch with Filipino community leaders, at lahat ng employers kailangan may plano para sa kanyang manggagawa in case magkaroon ng hostilities,” De Vega said.
[Translation: The Manila Economic and Culture Office (MECO) in Taipei and Kaohsiung are in touch with Filipino community leaders, and employers are required to have plans for their workers in case hostilities break out.]
The MECO is the Philippines’ de facto embassy in self-governing Taiwan in the absence of diplomatic ties between Manila and Taipei. Its functions, however, are non-political and non-security in nature in keeping with the One-China policy that recognizes the People’s Republic of China as the sole legitimate government of China.
Earlier, a lawmaker condemned China’s “threat” against the safety of OFWs.
“China seems to be issuing a threat not just against the Philippines as a country but to innocent OFWs who were obligated to work abroad to create better lives for their families,” Alliance of Concerned Teachers’ Rep. France Castro.
READ: Solon condemns China’s ‘threat’ vs. OFWs in Taiwan
During his speech Last April 14, Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines Huang Xilian said “China is the last country that wishes to see conflict over the Taiwan Strait.”
“But we will not renounce the use of force, and we reserve the option of taking all necessary measures,” he added.
RELATED: China tells PH to oppose ‘Taiwan independence,’ warns anew vs. EDCA sites
“He (Marcos) has given the general order na always watch out for the safety and welfare of all OFWs, including in Taiwan,” Jose de Vega, DFA Undersecretary for Migrant Workers’ Affairs, said Tuesday during the Laging Handa briefing.
Echoing the president, De Vega also said the Philippines is a peaceful country that has no intent to carry out “offensive military actions.”
“There is no need for anyone to make a statement, which would make it appear our OFWs are being targeted,” he added.
The government has not received reports of OFWs wanting to return home or expressing distress over the ongoing tension between China and Taiwan, according to De Vega.
He added that a contingency plan is in place should hostilities arise.
