33 Filipinos moved out of Georgia in midst of war
MANILA, Philippines - Thirty-three Filipinos working in the conflict-ridden Georgia were evacuated from the said Eastern European country, according to the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA).
Esteban Conejos Jr, DFA undersecretary for migrant workers affairs, told reporters on Monday that the Filipino workers who were from Tsibilisi, the capital of Georgia, were transferred to Azerbaijan, the largest and most populous country in the South Caucasus, located in Eastern Europe and partially in Western Asia.
“As we speak, the 33 Filipinos are already on their way to Azerbaijan. We received a report from our Embassy in Turkey that all of them, including those who have remained in Georgia, are safe," Conejos said.
He said evacuation centers were also being set up in Turkey in case Georgia's conflict with Russia further escalates and affects more migrant workers.
Georgia was recently invaded by Russian forces due to the conflict over Ossetia.
The southern portion of Ossetia is part of Georgia but is controlled by the secessionist Republic of South Ossetia, which is backed by Russia. The northern portion or the Republic of the North Ossetia-Alania is within the Russian Federation. At least 1,500 have so far died in the on-going Russian-Georgian conflict, according to news reports.
Conejos said the remaining 47 OFWs in Georgia — 27 in Tbilisi and 20 in Batumi — were safe and were discussing among themselves if they would move out of the strife-torn country.
Conejos said the DFA was in constant communication with the employers of the OFWs. He said the employers had assured the Philippine government that they would shoulder all evacuation expenses of the OFWs.
He said the government would not yet implement forced evacuation or impose a deployment ban to Georgia.
“We are closely monitoring the situation. We only issue an employment ban if there is a security threat. Our priority is to move them out of harm’s way and then we decide what the next move is," Conejos said.
Conejos said the Philippine Consulate in Ankara, Turkey, which is about 1,000 kilometers from the Georgian-Turkish border, had already deployed a consular team to the area to meet Filipino evacuees.
In Malacañang, deputy presidential spokesman Anthony Golez said contingency measures were being undertaken by the government to ensure the safety of the affected OFWs.
"The DFA is closely monitoring the situation and the department is constantly in touch with the embassies involved," Golez said. - with reports from MARK JOSEPH UBALDE, GMANews.TV
Esteban Conejos Jr, DFA undersecretary for migrant workers affairs, told reporters on Monday that the Filipino workers who were from Tsibilisi, the capital of Georgia, were transferred to Azerbaijan, the largest and most populous country in the South Caucasus, located in Eastern Europe and partially in Western Asia.
“As we speak, the 33 Filipinos are already on their way to Azerbaijan. We received a report from our Embassy in Turkey that all of them, including those who have remained in Georgia, are safe," Conejos said.
He said evacuation centers were also being set up in Turkey in case Georgia's conflict with Russia further escalates and affects more migrant workers.
Georgia was recently invaded by Russian forces due to the conflict over Ossetia.
The southern portion of Ossetia is part of Georgia but is controlled by the secessionist Republic of South Ossetia, which is backed by Russia. The northern portion or the Republic of the North Ossetia-Alania is within the Russian Federation. At least 1,500 have so far died in the on-going Russian-Georgian conflict, according to news reports.
Conejos said the remaining 47 OFWs in Georgia — 27 in Tbilisi and 20 in Batumi — were safe and were discussing among themselves if they would move out of the strife-torn country.
Conejos said the DFA was in constant communication with the employers of the OFWs. He said the employers had assured the Philippine government that they would shoulder all evacuation expenses of the OFWs.
He said the government would not yet implement forced evacuation or impose a deployment ban to Georgia.
“We are closely monitoring the situation. We only issue an employment ban if there is a security threat. Our priority is to move them out of harm’s way and then we decide what the next move is," Conejos said.
Conejos said the Philippine Consulate in Ankara, Turkey, which is about 1,000 kilometers from the Georgian-Turkish border, had already deployed a consular team to the area to meet Filipino evacuees.
In Malacañang, deputy presidential spokesman Anthony Golez said contingency measures were being undertaken by the government to ensure the safety of the affected OFWs.
"The DFA is closely monitoring the situation and the department is constantly in touch with the embassies involved," Golez said. - with reports from MARK JOSEPH UBALDE, GMANews.TV
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