PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. will address the United Nations today in New York to appeal to nations in the Middle East for the protection of 2.4 million Overseas Filipinno Workers due to the escalating regional conflicts.
Understandable, since the UN provides a platform for multilateral diplomacy and directly addresses the safety of foreign workers in a rather volatile conflict zone.
We know the President will call for respect for international law, particularly humanitarian law, to ensure the protection of Filipino civilians.
We need not over-emphasize the axiom that the UN body allows the Philippines to highlight the need for safe zones, safe passage, and the protection of foreign nationals.
That the Filipino leader will meet with UN leaders reinforces Manila’s commitment to working within international frameworks during global crises.
We know that as of early this month, over 1,400 Filipinos in the Middle East have requested repatriation, although operations are hindered by closed air space and active combat.
In the meanwhile, Manila is urging OFWs to stay in place and follow the advice of their host government’s while negotiating for safe repatriation routes.
We will see in the next few days if the President’s appeal for restraint will be heeded by reasonable leaders and warring nations which hopefully will mitigate danger to Filipinos.
Around 1,824 OFWs affected by the escalating tension in the region have received on-site assistance while nearly 1,200 from the affected countries have expressed intent to return.
The biggest concentrations of OFWs are in Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.
The other top destinations are Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, and Oman.
Others are Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Iraq and Iran.
