Contingency for nearly 170,000 Filipinos in Taiwan in case of armed conflict - DFA

Metro Manila, Philippines - Foreign Affairs Secretary Theresa Lazaro told senators Thursday, Aug. 28, that the government has contingency measures to evacuate nearly 170,000 Filipinos in Taiwan in the event of an armed conflict in the Taiwan Strait.

Appearing before the Senate committee on foreign relations chaired by presidential sister Sen. Imee Marcos, Lazaro said discussions among concerned agencies have been ongoing on evacuation scenarios.

“You’ll be surprised but we have been talking since early this year for a contingency plan. Of course kasama po namin ang mga security agencies [security agencies are in the loop],” Lazaro said.

“We do not have that many ships, but there are ways and we have been working together,” she added.

Lazaro said details of the plan are better discussed in a closed-door meeting, while assuring lawmakers that preparations are happening.

“Despite our doubts, you are confident that you have a plan in place?” Marcos asked. “Yes,” Lazaro replied.

Migrant Workers Undersecretary Bernard Olalia said 169,000 Filipinos with documents are working in the self-governed island, including 84% employed in factories.

“Meron po tayong crisis management team at ito po ay in place na [We have a crisis management team in place]. We can activate this at any point in time whenever there is an urgency to repatriate,” he said.

Senators raised concerns about resources and logistics. Marcos and Sen. Erwin Tulfo questioned whether the government has enough vessels, aircraft, or funding to carry out mass repatriation.

“All our ships, coast guard vessels, even barges, I don’t think we can handle 180,000 people,” Marcos said. “During the Marawi siege, we struggled with far fewer evacuees.”

Olalia said the Department of Migrant Workers has ₱1.2 billion in an action fund that includes repatriation costs, while Lazaro noted the Department of Foreign Affairs maintains a separate assistance fund.

Marcos said these may be insufficient.

“Dapat maglaan ng pondo para rito. Hindi biro-biro ito,” she said.

[Translation: We need to allocate funds for this, this is not a joke]

Lawmakers also raised the possibility of asking either Beijing or Taipei for help in transporting Filipinos if hostilities break out.

Lazaro did not rule this out, saying: “We have mechanisms. This can be an issue for discussion.”

Marcos remained skeptical: “Wala naman barko, wala naman pera… I doubt we can manage this without help.”

[Translation: No enough ships, no budget, I doubt we can manage this without help]

The Manila Economic and Cultural Office, which serves as liaison between Manila and Taipei, said while there is no budget for a mass evacuation, mechanisms exist to coordinate directly with Taiwanese officials “in case there is a need to evacuate.”