Metro Manila, Philippines – Malacañang assured Filipinos living and working in Europe that the government is closely monitoring protests and unrest in a number of countries, particularly Italy and France, and prepared to assist those who may be affected.
Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro said Monday, Oct. 19, that President Bongbong Marcos has directed concerned agencies to prioritize the safety and welfare of Filipinos during emergencies overseas.
“When there are incidents like this, the president first orders the concerned agencies to look into the situation and attend to the needs of our fellow Filipinos in affected areas,” Castro said during a palace briefing.
The Palace said Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac was closely monitoring developments, particularly in Milan, Italy, where Filipinos could be affected by the unrest.
“Whatever the situation may be, the first thing the government protects is the lives and safety of our people,” Castro said.
The government did not provide figures on Filipinos affected by the demonstrations or identify any reported casualties or arrests in its latest statement.
European unrest, ASEAN Summit
The Palace also expressed hope that the protests in France, Italy, and other European countries would end peacefully.
Castro said the administration was mindful of the potential implications of the unrest for the planned attendance of European leaders at the ASEAN Summit in Manila next month.
The Philippines is scheduled to host the regional gathering in November, with foreign leaders and representatives expected to participate in meetings and related engagements.
Malacañang expressed hope that developments in Europe would not disrupt the scheduled diplomatic activities.
With reports from Presidential News Desk
