Bongbong Marcos orders DFA to ensure safety of OFWs in Taiwan

Taiwan map. INQUIRER FILES stock image

MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has ordered the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) to ensure the safety and welfare of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in Taiwan amid tension between the self-ruled island and China, an official said Tuesday.

DFA Undersecretary Eduardo de Vega said the President wants to assure other nations that the Philippines has no intention to launch offensive military actions and there is “no need to make statements that make it appear our OFWs are being targeted.”

“He has given a general order to always watch out for the safety and welfare of OFWs, including in Taiwan,” he said in a public briefing.

“Through Malacañang and offices, we wish to assure everyone, countries, all our partners, the Philippines is a peaceful country. Wala tayong intent na gumawa ng (We don’t have any intention to carry out) offensive military actions. There is no need for anyone to make statements that make it appear our OFWs are being targeted,”   De Vega added.

READ: China ‘advises’ PH to ‘unequivocally oppose’ Taiwan’s independence than ‘stoke fire’ via Edca

The DFA official made the statement after Chinese Ambassador Huang Xilian claimed that the safety and welfare of 150,000 OFWs in Taiwan might be jeopardized if Manila does not “unequivocally oppose” Taiwan’s independence.

Beijing has been claiming that the self-ruled island is part of China awaiting reunification.

READ: China envoy’s Edca warning cites fate of Taiwan OFWs

De Vega assured the public that the government has put in place contingency measures in nations like Taiwan where there are high concentrations of OFWs.

He said no OFW has expressed their intention to go home to the Philippines amid the tension between Taiwan and China.

“Wala pa kaming nababalitaan na gustong umuwi, nababahala. Sanay na sila dito. Hindi basta-basta uuwi ‘yan kasi gusto nila kumita rin,” the DFA official said.

(We have not received reports that they want to go home. They are used to the situation here. They also won’t just go home because their livelihoods are here.)

The Manila Economic and Cultural Office earlier said the welfare and interests of OFWs in Taiwan are very well protected as the situation in the self-ruled island remained “very normal” amid the tension with China.

READ: OFWs in Taiwan safe; situation in self-ruled island ‘very normal’ — MECO

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