Filipinos in Ukraine vacillating on whether to stay or go — DFA exec

People and children walk at the border crossing between Poland and Ukraine, after Russian President Vladimir Putin authorized a military operation in eastern Ukraine, in Medyka, Poland, February 24, 2022. REUTERS/Kacper Pempel

MANILA, Philippines — Some Filipinos who were stranded in conflict-stricken Ukraine are still unsure “whether to stay or go,” an official of the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) revealed on Saturday.

DFA Undersecretary for Migrant Workers’ Affairs Sarah Lou Arriola speaking over Teleradyo, said this was the case of the 181 out of some 380 Filipinos “accounted for” by the government.

Of the 181, around 40 are now in western city of Lviv near the Polish border, but they are stil undecided if they wanted to be repatriated or to stay behind to be with their Ukrainian spouses and families.

“Until now, they are still vacillating on whether to stay or to go,” said Arriola. “Others are married to Ukrainians… you don’t leave your family behind, or you go where your spouse goes.”

Arriola said only those who wanted to escape the hostilities in Ukraine will be flown back to the Philippines since repatriation is still voluntary, while those who opted to stay will still be assisted.

The DFA likewise called again for Filipinos in Ukraine to reach out.

“We have only accounted 181. We don’t know if they (the rest) already left, that’s why we are asking them, actually, we are begging them to please, reach out to us,” she said.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has since launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine on Thursday, a move that was met with a torrent of condemnation from Western countries.

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