Pacquiao urges Filipinos in Ukraine to evacuate amid strife with Russia

Senator Manny Pacquiao. Contributed photo

MANILA, Philippines — Presidential candidate Senator Manny Pacquiao on Thursday urged Filipinos in Ukraine to evacuate immediately as Russia takes military action against the eastern European country.

Pacquiao made this call so Filipinos in Ukraine will be away from conflict and they would be easily rescued by the Philippine government in case a full war erupts.

“Ako ay nakikiusap sa ating mga kababayan na ngayon pa lang ay lumikas na upang hindi maipit sa nagbabantang digmaan at mabawasan ang alalahanin ng ating pamahalaan at ng kanilang mga mahal sa buhay,” Pacquiao said in a statement.

(I am appealing to Filipinos there to evacuate as early as now so that they would be away from the conflict and the government and their families would be less worried about them.)

He lamented that there is nothing that can be done amid the conflict but to join in calls for peace and resolution of the feud between Russia and Ukraine.

Pacquiao said he is praying for the immediate deescalation of the conflict.

“Napakahalaga ng panalangin sa panahong ito dahil tila hindi na malaman ng tao kung ano ang tama at makatarungan dahil sa kasakiman at kawalan ng respeto sa kapwa,” he said.

(Prayers are vital now because people seem to be confused with what’s right and just due to the greed of others.)

“Sa ngayon ay wala tayong magagawa kundi magmasid sa mga nangyayari at makiisa sa anumang pagsisikap para maresolba nang mapayapa ang sitwasyon sa Ukraine,” he added.

(For now we can’t do anything but to monitor the events and join in efforts to resolve the conflict peacefully.)

Pacquiao likewise urged the Philippine government to exhaust all efforts and resources to assist the over 300 overseas Filipinos in Ukraine.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has announced a “military operation” in Ukraine and called on soldiers there to lay down their arms

His statement came after the Kremlin said rebel leaders in eastern Ukraine had asked Moscow for military help against Kyiv.

For its part, the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration said the Philippine government is ready for the mass repatriation of overseas Filipinos should the conflict in Ukraine escalate.

OWWA administrator Hans Cacdac said in-country relocation of Filipinos are also currently ongoing.

JPV