MANILA, Philippines — All foreign posts of the Philippines stand ready and are “prepared for the worst” amid escalating tensions in the Middle East, Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. said.
“All PH foreign posts in readiness. Prepared for the worst, hoping for the best,” Locsin said over Twitter on Tuesday.
All PH foreign posts in readiness. Prepared for the worst, hoping for the best Tugade orders our Coast Guard vessel in Malta to sail our colors into troubled waters. Ships being chartered for mass evacuations. Duterte made it crystal: do everything to protect his OFWs. pic.twitter.com/EEf423Lol1
— Teddy Locsin Jr. (@teddyboylocsin) January 7, 2020
According to the foreign affairs chief, Transport Secretary Arthur Tugade has ordered the Philippine Coast Guard in Malta “to sail our colors into troubled waters.”
“Ships being chartered for mass evacuations. Duterte made it crystal: do everything to protect his OFWs (overseas Filipino workers),” the country’s top diplomat went on.
President Rodrigo Duterte earlier ordered the military to ready its air and naval assets for the possible evacuation of Filipino workers in the Middle East.