No Filipino in Taiwan seeking repatriation

MANILA, Philippines — No Filipino in Taiwan has asked to be repatriated following the remarks of China’s top diplomat in the Philippines against overseas Filipino workers (OFWs).

Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Undersecretary Eduardo de Vega said contingency measures are in place if Filipinos need to be evacuated.

“As far as the Filipinos are concerned, we haven’t of heard of anyone wishing to go home,” De Vega said at a briefing.

President Marcos has ordered the DFA to look after the OFWs in Taiwan.

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

“We wish to assure our senators and public that there is contingency plan, it’s long been in place. It’s a thick book. It’s there at the Manila Economic Cultural Office and labor offices,” he said.

The DFA assured the public on Monday that contingency plans are set in places with high numbers of OFWs, including Taiwan.

In a statement, the DFA said it is committed to the promotion of the welfare and security of all overseas Filipinos, including migrant workers.

The statement was made after Chinese Ambassador Huang Xilian asked the Philippines to unequivocally oppose Taiwan independence if it cared about the OFWs.

“Our dealings with all countries have always been on the basis of mutual respect and adherence to the general principles of international law, including the non-use of force as an instrument of national policy. We offer our friendship to all,” it added.

Meanwhile, Sen. Risa Hontiveros and Gabriela Women’s Party List Rep. Arlene Brosas called for the recall of the Chinese ambassador.

Hontiveros said Huang’s arrogance is completely out of place. “So I still stand by my call to the Palace to recall Ambassador Huang because what he said is really shameful and it’s clear as for what he said, there was no translation or the parts he said were incomprehensible.”

“Before any contingency plan is carried out, we, as a country, must again first communicate to Beijing that their representative should not be making statements threatening our people. We heard the Chinese Ambassador’s speech very clearly, so I hope he stops making excuses for his ill-advised pronouncements. My statement asking for the Palace to recall the ambassador still stands,” she said.

In a statement, Brosas noted that Huang “crossed the line” when he cited the OFWs to “pressure” the Philippines to favor the One China principle.

Huang made the remarks at the 8th Manila Forum last week in relation to the four new sites of Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA).

Brosas noted Malacañang should recommend that Huang be “immediately recalled.”

“Ambassador Huang could have an entire day opposing Taiwan’s independence. But to tell Manila to ‘unequivocally oppose’ such assertion of independence and dangle the fate of our OFWs – that is simply unacceptable,” she added. – Sheila Crisostomo, Cecille Suerte Felipe