By Junex Doronio
MANILA — Saying that the four Filipino seafarers are fine and being fed by their Iranian captors, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on Tuesday (16 April 2024) said that they will be released “soon”.
The four Filipino seafarers, whose identities are withheld, were among the crew of MSC Aries that Iran’s Revolutionary Guards seized last April 13 near the Strait of Hormuz in an apparent response to an Israeli attack on its consulate in Syria.
“Nobody wants in this situation but they had been told that they will be released soon — all of them, all of the seafarers,” DFA Undersecretary Eduardo de Vega told ANC in an interview.
He also said that the four Filipinos were allowed by the Iranians to contact their families, and each of them spoke with their relatives for an hour.
De Vega disclosed that he is set to meet the Iranian ambassador on Tuesday about the release of the Filipinos.
To recall, some Filipino crew members of an oil tanker that Iran seized in January in response to the US seizure of crude from Iran on the same vessel in 2023 were sent back to the Philippines in March.
(el Amigo/MNM)
By Liza Soriano
MANILA — Senator Koko Pimentel urged the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on Wednesday (April 3, 2024) to swiftly prioritize the welfare of Filipinos in Taiwan who may be affected by the 7.5 magnitude earthquake.
“We must act urgently to extend necessary assistance and support to our OFWs and ensure their safety and well-being,” Pimentel emphasized.
He expressed solidarity with the people of Taiwan during this difficult time and offered unwavering support as they work to rebuild and recover.
Meanwhile, Senator Grace Poe extended her “deepest sympathies” to the people of Taiwan affected by the earthquake.
“Our support also goes to the many individuals providing emergency assistance and rescue efforts on the ground,” Poe stated.
“We are confident that with the resilience and hard work of the Taiwanese people, they will recover from this tragedy and rebuild their communities anew,” she added.
(el Amigo/MNM)
By Junex Doronio
MANILA — Saying that they support his administration’s development agenda, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) defended President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s trips abroad saying the Filipino people will benefit from it in the long run.
This was pointed out on Friday (8 March 2024) by DFA–Office of European Affairs Assistant Secretary Maria Elena Algabre who said that Marcos Jr.’s international engagements would redound to the benefit of Filipinos.
“These trips are all in support of the President’s development agenda for the well-being of our country and the progress of the Filipinos,” Algabre quipped in a Palace press briefing.
She was reacting to criticisms of Marcos Jr.’s frequent foreign travels since assuming office in 2022.
This year alone, PBBM visited three countries, namely Brunei, Vietnam, and Australia.
The President is scheduled to travel to Germany and the Czech Republic for a working visit from March 11 to 15 next week.
(el Amigo/MNM)
MANILA – The Philippine government, represented by the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), has issued a call for peace in Ukraine as Russia’s aggression against the nation enters its second year.
“On this day marking the second anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the Philippines emphasizes the urgent need for a comprehensive, just, and enduring peace in Ukraine, by the principles outlined in the United Nations Charter,” stated the DFA in a release on Saturday (24 Feb 2024).
The DFA emphasized that the Philippines has consistently articulated its principled stance on the Ukraine issue, steadfastly supporting Ukraine’s sovereignty, independence, unity, and territorial integrity.
Since the outbreak of hostilities between Moscow and Kyiv, Manila has consistently voted in favor of all six resolutions presented at the UN General Assembly Emergency Special Session on Ukraine, the DFA noted.
“The Philippines reiterates its call for all concerned parties to pursue a peaceful and diplomatic resolution to the conflict,” the statement continued.
“We recall the 1982 Manila Declaration on the Peaceful Settlement of International Disputes, reaffirming the principle that all States must resolve their disputes through peaceful means.”
According to data from the United Nations, at least 10,500 civilians in Ukraine have lost their lives, with many more sustaining injuries. Essential civilian infrastructure, including schools and hospitals, has been decimated, leaving hundreds of towns and villages without electricity during harsh winter conditions.
Millions of people have been displaced and are reliant on humanitarian aid, the DFA highlighted.
Speaking at a UN Security Council meeting on February 23, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres stressed the imperative of respecting Ukraine’s sovereignty and independence.
“Countless Ukrainians are enduring the unthinkable pain of losing their loved ones. It is essential that all children separated from their families are swiftly reunited,” Guterres asserted.
“The conflict is also exacting a heavy toll on the people of Russia. Thousands of young Russians are losing their lives on the front lines, while civilians in Russian cities targeted by strikes are enduring immense suffering.”
Expressing concern over the escalating risk of the conflict, Guterres cautioned against its further expansion, highlighting its detrimental impact on global stability and cooperation.
“For two years, we have witnessed ongoing conflict, enduring suffering, and escalating global tensions. It is time to say, ‘Enough,'” he concluded.
(By el Amigo/MNM)
By Junex Doronio
MANILA — Describing the 18 Filipino seafarers onboard an American oil tanker as “collateral damage” after they were recently seized by Iran’s navy, a top official of the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on Saturday said the Iranian Embassy in Manila has promised the Philippine government assistance to ensure the safety and immediate release.
Foreign Affairs Undersecretary for Migrant Workers Affairs Eduardo De Vega said the 18 Filipino crewmen onboard an American oil tanker who were seized by Iran Navy off the coast of Oman last Thursday (January 11) were only “collateral damage” but somehow safe.
“Hindi sila kinuhang hostage, ibang situation ito kasi ang tinarget ng Iranians [ay] ‘yong bapor mismo, so in a way collateral damage ‘yong crew. So we’re confident that hindi sila sasaktan at in time papakawalan na rin ‘yan,” De Vega said.
The incident brought to 35 the number of Filipino seafarers abducted in sea jackings after 17 Filipino seafarers were seized by Iran-backed Houthi rebels who began threatening commercial shipping in the Red Sea last November.
De Vega added that the DFA is in touch with the Iranian ambassador to the Philippines, while the Philippine envoy in Tehran is also reaching out to local authorities.
The DFA official said there is no indication so far that the Filipinos are being harmed or mistreated.
Iran has confirmed the sea jacking purportedly to retaliate for the “theft” of its oil from the same tanker last year by the United States.
(el Amigo/MNM)
MANILA — The Commission on Appointment (CA) gave the green light to the appointments of 49 officials within the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) in a recent session.
Reflecting on the diverse backgrounds of the appointees, CA Committee on Foreign Affairs Chairperson Jinggoy Estrada highlighted their varied experiences in public service, spanning the Senate, executive offices, judiciary, military, coast guard, academia, and the corporate sector.
Estrada emphasized that the collective competencies and advocacies of these appointees significantly enhance the DFA’s capabilities in tackling the intricate challenges and issues it faces.
(Liza Soriano/ai/mnm)
By Junex Doronio
MANILA — Following the execution of two Filipino nationals in China for drug trafficking offenses, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on Saturday warned traveling Filipinos not to carry any “paki-padala” package in order not to become unwilling drug mules.
The DFA withheld the identities of the two Filipinos executed in China on November 24 “out of respect for their privacy,” and delayed the announcement until receiving formal notification of their execution from Chinese authorities.
“The Department issues this urgent reminder to all Filipinos wishing to travel overseas to be vigilant of the modus operandi of drug syndicates in recruiting unwitting travelers as drug mules, and to refuse to carry any package that you have not personally packed and thoroughly inspected,” the DFA said.
According to the foreign affairs department, the two individuals were arrested in 2013 and convicted in 2016.
“The Department of Foreign Affairs regrets to inform the nation that two Filipino nationals were executed in China on 24 November 2023 for drug trafficking offenses, as confirmed by the Philippine Consulate General in Guangzhou,” the DFA stated.
It added: “We offer our most sincere condolences to their families and loved ones. We respect the wishes of their families for privacy, and as such are withholding the identities of the two Filipinos.”
The DFA also assisted the families of the two Filipinos and supported their compassionate visit to Guangzhou.
(AI/MNM)
By Liezelle Soriano
MANILA — The Department of Foreign Affairs said that two Filipino nationals were executed in China for drug trafficking offenses.
The DFA said on Saturday that it was confirmed by the Philippine Consulate General in Guangzhou.
“We offer our most sincere condolences to their families and loved ones. Out of deference to their wishes, we deferred from announcing this sad development immediately and are withholding the identities of the two Filipinos,” DFA said.
The department said that it provided all possible assistance, including legal assistance funding, through the Philippine Consulate General in Guangzhou and the Office of the Undersecretary for Migrant Workers Affairs from the time the two Filipinos were arrested.
It added that the Philippine government exhausted all measures available to appeal to the relevant authorities of the People’s Republic of China to commute their sentences to life imprisonment on humanitarian grounds. There were also high-level political representations in this regard.
The government likewise provided every possible assistance to the families of the two Filipinos, DFA said.
The agency added that the two executed Filipinos were arrested in 2013 after they were caught with 11 kilos of shabu hidden in a DVD player.
They were convicted in 2016.
DFA officials recently accompanied the relatives of the two convicted Filipinos who went to China for a “compassionate visit” of their loved ones.
(AI/MNM)
MANILA — The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) declared on Thursday (30 Nov 2023) that the 17 Filipinos currently held captive by Houthi rebels in the Red Sea are reported to be in “good condition.”
According to a statement released by the DFA, government sources have indicated that efforts are underway to secure the prompt release of the hostages. The DFA has actively engaged in diplomatic efforts with foreign governments to facilitate the safe return of the seafarers.
These 17 individuals were part of the 25-member crew aboard the Galaxy Leader cargo ship, which was hijacked by Houthi rebels on November 19.
In a recent development, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. announced on Thursday that a high-level delegation is being dispatched to Tehran, Iran, to extend “necessary assistance” to the seafarers. However, the agency has not yet disclosed the identity of the delegation’s leader.
As the situation unfolds, the DFA remains committed to ensuring the well-being and swift release of the Filipino hostages.
(ai/mnm)
The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) has reassured Filipinos in Gaza that a repatriation fund of USD 297,746 (approximately PHP 16 million) is ready to cover the costs for the last Filipino who decides to return to the Philippines.
Currently, the Rafah border crossing is closed for “security reasons,” according to Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Eduardo Jose de Vega.
Undersecretary de Vega stated that the embassy had allocated the standby fund for local transportation, accommodation in Cairo, flight tickets, and welfare assistance for up to 150 persons. Currently, 69 Filipinos have expressed their decision to leave Gaza, awaiting a signal to exit.
The situation on the ground is dynamic, with the Rafah border opening contingent on the security conditions in the area, as highlighted by Philippine Ambassador to Egypt Ezzedin Tago. Embassy officers in Cairo are on standby, monitoring developments at the Egyptian side of the border crossing.
In a separate update, the DFA announced that 35 of the 40 individuals who crossed the border earlier will depart Egypt on the afternoon of Nov. 9 (Cairo time) and are expected to arrive in the Philippines around 4:30 p.m. on Nov. 10 (Manila time).
The embassy has also arranged for psychosocial support for the repatriates and provided financial assistance to them. Notably, three individuals have chosen to stay in Egypt with their Egyptian patriarch, and one, a pregnant woman, was unable to travel due to her advanced pregnancy.
(ai/mnm)
By Junex Doronio
DESPITE THE MANDATORY REPATRIATION ordered by the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) as Israel prepares to launch a massive ground offensive in Gaza, not all Filipinos are keen on going home to the Philippines.
On Monday, the DFA noted that some of them who fled Gaza City said they would look for somewhere else to stay in Gaza, a Palestinian enclave on the eastern coast of the Mediterranean Sea where Hamas won local elections in 2006 and then took sole control of it in 2007.
“Merong 23 na Pilipino — itong huling batch — na umalis sa Gaza City, ayon sa ating embassy,” DFA Undersecretary Eduardo De Vega disclosed on TeleRadyo Serbisyo on Monday morning.
Last October 7, the Hamas militants launched a “surprise” attack on Israeli villages.
The DFA said all Filipinos in Gaza City have already left the area and all 131 Filipinos in the Gaza Strip are accounted for.
Israel only captured Gaza during the so-called Six-Day War in 1967.
However, even if Hamas won the local elections in Gaza in 2006, still the Gaza Strip was under a strict Israeli blockade, dependent on the Israeli government for electricity, water, and telecommunications. (ai/mnm)