The Philippine government “has been preparing for all and any eventualities,” Malacañang said Tuesday, amid the threat of Russian troops invading Ukraine.
“Your government is preparing for all contingencies,” acting presidential spokesperson Karlo Nograles said in a televised briefing.
“I hope all of us across the world can find good avenues to successfully achieve peace,” he said.
The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) earlier sent a consular team to Lviv, Ukraine “to guarantee immediate assistance to Filipino nationals.”
As of February 22, 6 Filipinos staying in Ukraine have been repatriated.
The geopolitical tension in Europe turned for the worse after Russian President Vladimir Putin announced that Moscow is recognizing the legitimacy of two Ukrainian regions controlled by rebels.
With his decision, Putin brushed off Western warnings that such a step would be illegal, would kill off peace negotiations, and would trigger sanctions against Moscow.
Also on Tuesday, the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration said the Philippine government is not yet mandating mass repatriation from Ukraine despite the tension between the former Soviet states.