Marcos: Ensure safety of Filipinos in Paris, Italy

MANILA, Philippines — President Marcos has ordered concerned agencies to ensure the safety of all Filipinos living in France and Italy amid massive protests, riots and looting in the two neighboring countries. 

“Whenever incidents of unrest occur, the President’s primary directive is to ensure that the needs of our fellow citizens in the affected areas are addressed,” Palace press officer Claire Castro said at a briefing yesterday. 

Castro said Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Cacdac has been attending to the needs of Filipinos in Milan, Italy.

Castro added that the Philippine government may implement repatriation of Filipinos who wish to return home if the situation worsens. 

“The President has directed the repatriation – should it become necessary – of our fellow Filipinos, who find themselves caught in such a situation,” she said.

Asked whether the government is prepared should similar incidents happen in the country due to rising prices of commodities, Castro said relevant agencies are doing everything possible to provide all forms of assistance to the people.

No Pinoys harmed 

No Filipinos were harmed in the protests and unrest in France and Italy, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said yesterday. 

“Per the latest reports from the Philippine embassy in Paris and the Philippine consulate general in Milan, no Filipinos have been involved or harmed in the protests,” DFA spokesperson Analyn Ratonel said in a text message to reporters.

Filipinos in France were advised to stay calm, avoid protest areas and large gatherings and follow the instructions of local authorities. 

7 wounded in Saudi

In Saudi Arabia, seven Filipino workers were wounded in attacks, three of whom are in critical condition, the Department of Foreign Affairs said yesterday, citing a report of the Department of Migrant Workers.

The Philippine government extended its condolences to the families of those killed in the attacks in several areas of Saudi Arabia. — Pia Lee-Brago