ASEAN seeks close coordination, information-sharing on nationals trapped in conflict

The Association of South East Asian Nations on Friday sought closer coordination, including information-sharing, among members in conflict areas to ensure the protection and timely movement of its nationals who may be trapped in war and other emergency situations.

Philippine Foreign Secretary Theresa Lazaro, who convened a special foreign ministerial meeting online on the situation in the ongoing war in the Middle East, said the mechanism would allow ASEAN states to immediately respond to any crisis and provide aid to other members who do not have diplomatic posts in certain countries. The Philippines is the current chair of ASEAN.

“We underscored the importance of timely and enhanced coordination and information sharing in accordance with the ASEAN declaration and the guidelines of consular assistance by ASEAN member states' missions in third countries to nationals of other ASEAN member states, and the guidelines for the provision of emergency assistance by ASEAN missions in third countries to nationals of ASEAN member countries in crisis situations,” Lazaro told a virtual press briefing.

Demonstrating ASEAN solidarity, Singapore on Friday assisted in evacuating 24 Filipinos from the Middle East amid the raging war in the region via a Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) A330 Multi-Role Transport Tanker (MRTT) that was deployed by the city-state to evacuate its 81 nationals from Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

Aside from the Filipinos, Singapore also evacuated nationals of Australia, Brunei, Indonesia, Sri Lanka and Vietnam using the same aircraft.

“We acknowledge the assistance and efforts made by our fellow ASEAN member states in this regard,” said Lazaro, stressing that the protection of Filipinos from strife-torn areas is "very important to the Philippines."

Hundreds of Filipino workers and stranded tourists in the Middle East sought evacuation after the United States and Israel unleashed airstrikes against Iran, killing its leader and other top officials.

Iran retaliated with missile and drone attacks against neighboring Gulf countries hosting US military bases and those with close ties to Washington, endangering the security of tens of thousands of Filipinos workers across the volatile region.

The ongoing war is a major concern for the Philippines in the Middle East, where more than 2.4 million Filipinos live and work, including more than 30,000 in Israel. 

Ensuring their safety, including through evacuations, has been a logistical challenge in the past.

The Philippines has also extended similar evacuation assistance to nationals of other countries in the past, particularly when the hostilities broke out in Libya in 2014.

During Friday’s meeting, ASEAN, which groups the Philippines, Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Vietnam, Laos Cambodia, Myanmar and Timor Leste, renewed its call for the “immediate cessation of hostilities.” The same call was echoed by the group’s economic ministers, who are holding talks in Manila.

They urged all parties to exercise utmost self-restraint and resolve differences through diplomacy and dialogue and respect for international law “in the interest of maintaining peace and stability in the region.”

ASEAN foreign ministers expressed alarm on the effects of the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, which they said, have unsettled global economic activity, particularly energy markets, maritime transport routes and supply chains.

Lazaro said they agreed to strengthen the bloc’s cooperation and work more closely to respond more rapidly to mitigate the impact of the Iran war on the region.

Actions include utilizing existing mechanisms, such as the ASEAN Framework Agreement on Petroleum Security, ASEAN Power Grid, and the Trans-ASEAN Gas Pipeline. They also sought cooperation with Gulf states, which has been targeted by Iranian retaliatory strikes.

The regional grouping also pushed for intra-ASEAN trade and increased utilization of renewable energy as viable alternatives to fossil fuels.

Oil supply was disrupted after Iran blocked the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial passageway, causing crude prices to soar worldwide.

Lazaro said importing oil from Russia after the United States temporarily lifted its sanctions on Russian crude oil is something that is “being considered” by the Philippines, but said this will still be discussed by concerned government agencies. —LDF, GMA Integrated News