AFP ready to aid in repatriating Pinoys in Middle East amid tension
The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) is ready to help with the repatriation of Filipinos affected by the continuous tension in the Middle East, spokesperson Colonel Francel Margareth Padilla said Tuesday.
'The Armed Forces of the Philippines is prepared to be in sync with other government agencies in terms of the role that the AFP will play in terms of repatriation,' Padilla told reporters at a press briefing.
'So, we are ready to react swiftly, securely, and in sync with other government agencies on this,' she added.
The first batch of Filipinos is expected to arrive Tuesday night around 7 p.m. after it was delayed due to the temporary suspension of Qatari air traffic after Iran attacked a US military base in Doha.
The Department of Migrant Workers also said 50 more Filipinos could be repatriated this week.
Last week, the Philippine government raised the crisis alert to level 3 in Israel and Iran, urging Filipinos in the affected areas to take advantage of the voluntary repatriation as armed hostilities between the two countries continue.
According to the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration., it has received 35 calls for assistance since the Philippine government raised the Crisis Alert to Level 3 in Israel and Iran. — Mariel Celine Serquiña/RSJ, GMA Integrated News
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
GMA Network
an hour ago
- GMA Network
Marcos launches P20 per kilo of rice in Bacoor, Cavite
President Ferdinand 'Bongbong' Marcos Jr. and Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. watch as vendors at the Kadiwa ng Pangulo sell rice at P20 per kilo in Bacoor, Cavite on Wednesday, July 2, 2025. MPC Pool President Ferdinand ''Bongbong'' Marcos Jr. on Wednesday led the launch of the P20 per kilo of rice in Bacoor, Cavite. Marcos witnessed the selling of rice with Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. at the Zapote Public Market. Those who can avail of the P20 per kilo of rice are those from the vulnerable sector, including beneficiaries of the 4Ps, senior citizens, persons with disability, and solo parents. Each buyer can avail of five to 10 kilos of rice. The President earlier explained why it took time for him to fulfill his campaign promise of P20 per kilo of rice, noting that the government needs to provide assistance first to the local farmers, including the provision of machinery. The Department of Agriculture (DA) initially implemented the sale of rice at P20 per kilo in the Visayas region. According to the DA, Marcos wants it to be implemented across the country in the long run. The second phase, which will commence this month, will be in the Mindanao region. The rice sold in Kadiwa centers is subsidized by the government through the Food Terminal Inc. The DA is aiming to sustain the program until the end of Marcos' term in June 2028, potentially covering up to 15 million households, or approximately 60 million Filipinos. —KG, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
15 hours ago
- GMA Network
Lazaro takes over as DFA Chief tells diplomats, staff 'be guided by patriotism, integrity'
Foreign Affairs Secretary Ma. Theresa Lazaro assumed her new post Tuesday received the symbolic flag of the Department of Foreign Affairs from outgoing Secretary Enrique Manalo in the temporary headquarters in Pasay City. Photo from Michaella del Callar Foreign Affairs Secretary Ma. Theresa Lazaro assumed her new post Tuesday in an austere ceremony but with a firm order for hundreds of Filipino diplomats and staff: "be guided by patriotism and integrity." Lazaro was sworn in by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. as the 25th Philippine Foreign Secretary at the Malacañang Palace in the morning. She later received the symbolic flag of the Department of Foreign Affairs from outgoing Secretary Enrique Manalo in the temporary DFA headquarters in Pasay City with about 200 senior diplomats and employees in attendance. "We safeguard our statehood as well as the dignity of every Filipino. Throughout all this, we must remain guided by the DFA's core values of patriotism, integrity, professionalism, excellence, and service," Lazaro told an audience of career officers and employees in the department's main function hall. The 66-year-old Lazaro is coming into the job with decades of experience as a career diplomat and deft handling of sensitive foreign policy issues, specifically on Manila's complex relations with China, whose sprawling territorial claims in the South China Sea and the West Philippine Sea have been challenged by the Philippines. Lazaro will also craft guidelines and issue directives on how to navigate the volatile security situation in the Middle East, where more than two million Filipinos live and work. In her speech, Lazaro said she values the DFA's work and commitment as they face "much work ahead." "But with unity of purpose, our core values in mind, and the whole DFA family standing side by side, I am confident that we can face the road ahead with determination, resilience, and the collective spirit that has always defined the department," she said. A seasoned career diplomat, Lazaro negotiated a landmark agreement with China on a provisional arrangement for the Philippine delivery of supplies to Filipino forces at Ayungin Shoal (Second Thomas Shoal) to prevent a repeat of past confrontations. Signed in July 2024, the agreement that covers Ayungin seeks to avoid altercations and ease tensions after a violent clash between Philippine Navy special forces and Chinese coast guard personnel on June 17, 2024 at the Philippine-occupied area. Since the forging of the agreement, succeeding resupply missions to the shoal have been peaceful with Chinese ships keeping watch at a distance. As DFA's Undersecretary for policy, she also led negotiations for a crucial Code of Conduct in the South China Sea, which aims to prevent a major conflict in the disputed waters, called West Philippine Sea by Manila. "For the past 127 years, the Department of Foreign Affairs has stood as one of the most enduring pillars of the Republic, implementing and charting the course of Philippine foreign policy, fostering friendly relations with our international partners, and assisting our Filipinos overseas, and most importantly, asserting the Philippines as an independent, sovereign nation" she said. "May we carry forward the lessons of the past, embrace the responsibilities of the present, and share a future worthy of this institution and the country we serve." — BAP, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
18 hours ago
- GMA Network
House reso opposing ex-Pres Duterte's interim release, repatriation filed
A resolution opposing the bid of former President Rodrigo Duterte for interim release or repatriation back to the Philippines from his detention in The Hague, Netherlands has been filed in the House of Representatives. Representatives Antonio Tinio of ACT Teachers party-list and Renee Co of Kabataan party-list filed House Resolution 9 on June 30. Tinio and Co said Duterte's detention is anchored on domestic law, Republic Act 9851 or the Philippine Act on Crimes Against International Humanitarian Law, Genocide, and Other Crimes Against Humanity, which states that 'in the interest of justice, the relevant Philippine authorities may dispense with the investigation or prosecution of a crime punishable under this Act if another court or international tribunal is already conducting the investigation or undertaking the prosecution of such crime.' They said RA 9851 also states that the authorities may surrender or extradite suspected or accused persons in the Philippines to the appropriate international court, if any, or to another State pursuant to the applicable extradition laws and treaties.' At the time of Duterte's arrest on March 11, there were no pending charges against him before Philippine courts. However, the International Criminal Court has been investigating Duterte and other top officials of his administration for crimes against humanity over the alleged systematic drug war deaths in police operations. 'The House of Representatives, as the duly elected representatives of the Filipino people, must stand in solidarity with victims of human rights violations especially those committed by actors of the State itself, in the pursuit of justice and accountability, the basic tenets of a democratic and humane society,' the resolution read. 'Now, therefore, be it resolved, as it is hereby resolved, that the House of Representatives oppose any and all efforts for the interim release and repatriation of Rodrigo Roa Duterte from The Hague, The Netherlands,' it added. The lawmakers also invoked Article 127, Paragraph 2 of the Rome Statute which states that '[A State Party's] withdrawal will not affect any cooperation with the [ICC[ Court in connection with criminal investigations and proceedings in relation to which the withdrawing State had a duty to cooperate and which were commenced prior to the date on which the withdrawal became effective.' The Philippines withdrew from the Rome Statute in March 2018, but it only took effect a year later in March 2019. Further, the lawmakers cited the Supreme Court decision in the Pangilinan v. Cayetano case in 2021 which states that "the International Criminal Court retains jurisdiction over any and all acts committed by government actors until March 17, 2019. Hence, withdrawal from the Rome Statute does not affect the liabilities of individuals charged before the International Criminal Court for acts committed up to this date.' 'Most notable of the reasons for Mr. Duterte's continued detention is the false narrative purveyed by his family, allies, and supporters that he was "kidnapped" or "abducted", thus attempting to discredit the grounds and process of his arrest in the first place,' the lawmakers said. Given Duterte's insistence on being abducted, Tinio and Co said the former president is clearly refusing to accept the legitimacy of ICC and its legal proceedings against him, making him a flight risk. 'A [supposed] victim of a kidnapping is unlikely to return to the custody of the kidnapper if given an opportunity to escape. Mr Duterte, his family, vocal supporters, and counsel all consider him a victim of a kidnapping/abduction,' the lawmakers said. 'Wherefore, be it further resolved, that the House of Representatives also support the continued detention of Mr. Duterte by the ICC, with the goal of ensuring that justice be exacted for the victims of his bloody war on drugs,' they added. —AOL, GMA Integrated News
