(Eagle News) — The Department of National Defense is ready to provide assistance in the repatriation of overseas Filipinos in Ukraine following Russia’s attack.
According to Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana, they shall provide the aid to agencies led by the Department of Foreign Affairs “if and when we are called upon to do so.”
“We are monitoring the situation closely and are standing by…,” Lorenzana said.
Echoing the DFA’s statement, the defense chief expressed hope “that the situation does not escalate beyond what can still be resolved through diplomacy and the international rules-based order.”
Earlier, the DFA said 37 Filipinos were on their way to Lviv for repatriation.
DFA chief Teodoro Locsin Jr. has said he would travel to the Ukrainian border to oversee the repatriation.
The Palace has said President Rodrigo Duterte’s main concern was the safety of overseas Filipinos in the country.