Poland agrees to take in Filipinos from Ukraine, says Locsin

Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. (Photo from the DFA)

MANILA, Philippines — Poland has agreed to take in Filipinos from Ukraine even without a visa, Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. said Thursday.

In a tweet following Russia’s announcement of a “military operation” in Ukraine, Locsin assured that the Philippine Embassy in Warsaw is on “high alert.”

The said embassy in Poland has jurisdiction over Filipinos in Ukraine.

“Warsaw PE’s (Philippine Embassy) been on high alert; repatriated a few; Poland finally agreed to let ours in sans EU visas; not heard anything from Russia on our request re: its closest border,” the foreign affairs chief said.

Warsaw PE's been on high alert; repatriated a few; Poland finally agreed to let ours in sans EU visas; not heard anything from Russia on our request re: its closest border. Most Filipinos in Ukraine are grateful guests and want to stick it out with their warm welcoming neighbors. https://t.co/Jl25lUvBnQ

— Teddy Locsin Jr. (@teddyboylocsin) February 24, 2022

“Most Filipinos in Ukraine are grateful guests and want to stick it out with their warm welcoming neighbors,” he added.

So far, six Filipinos have been repatriated from Ukraine.

Meanwhile, four Filipinos who requested for repatriation are expected to fly to the Philippines Friday night “if circumstances allow,” DFA Undersecretary for Migrant Workers’ Affairs Sarah Lou Arriola said in an online briefing with reporters.

“If they will not be able to fly out then we will exert other means to bring them home,” she added.

JPV