Local, international relocation ready for OFWs in Ukraine amid tension —OWWA

The Philippine government has prepared local and international relocation for overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in Ukraine amid  the reported invasion by Russia, the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) said on Thursday.

Interviewed on GMA News’ Unang Balita, OWWA administrator Hans Cacdac said the OFWs have been informed on the pickup points for the relocation.

“Meron nang proper information na disseminated kung saan-saan sila magkikita para sila ay ilikas inside and outside Ukraine,” he said.

(Proper information has been disseminated about the meeting places where they would be fetched for their relocation inside and outside Ukraine.)

Citing reports from the embassy in nearby Poland, Cacdac said in-country relocation is already ongoing for Filipinos in Ukraine who are mostly from the capital city Kyiv.

He said the area of relocation is around 400 kilometers away from the capital city.

If the tension worsens, he said the OFWs will be flown outside Ukraine. According to Cacdac, a place of refuge outside the country has been identified.

“Kung talagang kinakailangan ay ililikas sila outside of Ukraine. Meron nang identified na safe haven o pupuntahan (If really needed they will be relocated outside Ukraine. A safe haven has been identified)," he said.

Cacdac said there are around 380 Filipinos in Ukraine.

Aside from the six Filipinos who were repatriated to the Philippines on February 18, Cacdac said another batch will come home soon.

Russia has deployed around 100,000 troops along Ukraine's northern, eastern and southern borders, with the United States warning that Russian President Vladimir Putin could attack anytime.—AOL, GMA News