DOLE: No labor deployment ban, forced repatriation for Pinoys in Hong Kong

Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III on Monday said there are no deployment ban and forced evacuation for Filipinos working in Hong Kong amid continuing clashes between protesters and state security forces there.

"Totoong medyo may kaguluhan sa Hong Kong. Pero sa ngayon, according to our labor attaché doon at ang DFA (Department of Foreign Affairs), ay wala pa namang Pilipino na nadadamay. Kaya walang dahilan para mag-deployment ban tayo doon at wala ring dahilan na magkakaroon ng mandatory repatriation ng ating mga kababayan doon," Bello said in an interview in Dobol B sa News TV aired on GMA News TV.

"Tuloy pa rin ang deployment po," he added.

Anti-government demonstrators attend a protest in Hong Kong on Sunday, October 20, 2019. REUTERS/Ammar Awad

Bello assured that authorities are continuously monitoring the situation.

"Ang DFA ang may kakayahan para mag-evaluate at mag-assess ng situation, and to warrant a mandatory repatriation. Sa ngayon, wala pa naman," he said.

Bello added that should the situation get worse, the DOLE will assist OFWs in Hong Kong to land jobs in Macau and China.

On Sunday, Hong Kong police and protesters clashed in an anti-government march.

The Philippine Consulate General in Hong Kong advised Filipinos to stay away from demonstration areas in the coming days such as Yuen Long MTR Station, Kwun Tong Promenade, and Prince Edward Victoria Park up to Lan Kwai Fong.

—Dona Magsino/KG, GMA News