VP Sara Duterte Claims It’s Allegedly Easy To Rescue People from Anywhere through Booked Commercial Flights
SARA DUTERTE – The Vice President claimed that it is easy allegedly easy to book a commercial flight to rescue people from anywhere.
The airstrikes of the United States towards Iran alarmed the global community. Amid the tension in the Middle East, a lot of Filipinos reportedly want to return home. A Filipina caregiver died in Israel due to the attacks as confirmed by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
However, previously, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. advised the OFWs to stay put. According to him, immediate mass repatriation was not possible yet due to suspended flights, closed airports, and dangerous airspace situations following the airstrikes.
Recently, based on News5, Vice Pres. Sara Duterte aired her side on the situation that mass repatriations of OFWs in the Middle East was not immediately conducted. The Vice President said it would be easy for the Philippine government to send planes to rescue OFWs affected by the escalating conflict between Iran and the United States.
Vice Pres. Sara Duterte also stressed that the safety of Filipinos abroad should be the top priority of the government amid the Middle East tension. According to her, logistical challenges should not be allegedly used as an excuse for inaction. Duterte noted that the country has the capacity to deploy aircraft for evacuation if the government officials would decide and allocate the resources properly.
“Napakadaling magpadala ng eroplano eh, sa totoo lang. Alam niyo ba nung COVID na panahon, madami ang na stranded na mga taga-Davao City dito sa Manila. Napakadali. Nangontrata kami ng commercial airline… Ilang beses naming ginawa ‘yun,” the Vice President said based on the post.
Furthermore, according to Vice Pres. Sara Duterte, the Philippine government should allegedly have clear evacuation protocols which must supposedly include coordination with airlines, embassies, and host governments. All these to ensure the OFWs’ safety according to the Vice President.
“Hindi ganyan kahirap kahirap magpadala ng eroplano kung saan man, saan mo gusto kumuha or mag-rescue ng tao… ‘Yung isang kaibigan ko galing Dubao, papauwi na siya… Siguro limitado, pero hindi sarado,” Duterte said based on the post.
Vice Pres. Sara Duterte stressed that a lot of OFWs are breadwinners of their families. According to her, their families depend on their income, thus, it is crucial not only to ensure their safe repatriation but as well as provide reintegration support once they are back in the country.
As for the OFWs, the Vice President calls on them to heed the advisories issued by the Philippine authorities and prepare for the possible evacuation. Amid the Middle East war, Senate Foreign Relations Committee chairman Erwin Tulfo previously called on the concerned government agencies to do their job.