THE government will assist overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) and the Filipino community in the event of a conflict between Taiwan and China, according to Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac.
In a press conference in Quezon City, Cacdac reassured the public that extensive efforts are underway to monitor the situation. He highlighted ongoing communication between the DMW, the Manila Economic and Cultural Office (MECO) led by Chairman Silvestre Bello III, Filipino communities, and labor representatives in Taiwan.
“We are always ready,” Cacdac stated, emphasizing that contingency plans are in place. He confirmed that the DMW has already established communication with Filipinos in Taiwan and has identified convergence points and safety measures in case tensions escalate.
While Cacdac refrained from disclosing detailed operational security measures to protect the safety of OFWs and the Filipino community in Taiwan, he assured that there is a concrete plan. He mentioned ongoing collaboration with other government agencies and stakeholders to ensure preparedness.
Regarding potential mandatory repatriation, Cacdac explained that any decision would depend on the nature of the armed conflict and the willingness of Filipinos in Taiwan to accept repatriation offers. He noted that there are currently 153,000 Filipinos in Taiwan.
“Based on experience, the response depends on the situation on the ground,” Cacdac said. “We have safety facilities and measures as the first line of defense, and there are secondary and tertiary plans that may involve repatriation, but we are not discussing those details at this stage.”
Recently, Taiwan reported the presence of numerous Chinese warplanes and navy vessels off its coast. This show of force was seen as a response to the inauguration of Taiwan’s new leaders, who do not acknowledge Taiwan as part of China. (GP)
