Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III announced on Monday that there was no deployment ban and forced evacuation of OFWs in Hong Kong due to protests there.
“Totoong medyo may kaguluhan sa Hong Kong. Pero sa ngayon, according to our labor attaché doon at ang DFA (Department of Foreign Affairs), ay wala pa namang Pilipino na nadadamay. Kaya walang dahilan para mag-deployment ban tayo doon at wala ring dahilan na magkakaroon ng mandatory repatriation ng ating mga kababayan doon,” said Bello in an interview with “Dobol B sa News TV.”
(It is a bit chaotic in Hong Kong. To date, however, according to our labor attaché there and the DFA (Department of Foreign Affairs), no Filipino has yet been affected. So there is no reason for the deployment ban and mandatory repatriation of our countrymen in Hong Kong.)
The secretary added, “Tuloy pa rin ang deployment po (deployment continues).”
Bello also said that authorities continue to monitor the situation in China’s territory.
“Ang DFA ang may kakayahan para mag-evaluate at mag-assess ng situation, and to warrant a mandatory repatriation. Sa ngayon, wala pa naman,” said Bello.
(The DFA can evaluate and assess the situation and warrant mandatory repatriation. To date, there is no need to do such.)
Bello also said that if the condition worsens, DOLE will help Filipinos who would lose their jobs in Hong Kong looking to find new employment in Macau or mainland China.
On Sunday, Hong Kong authorities again clashed with protesters who were fighting against their government.
The Philippine Consulate General has advised OFWs and Filipino tourists in Hong Kong to stay away from areas with ongoing demonstrations such as the Long MTR Station, Kwun Tong Promenade, and Prince Edward Victoria Park near Lan Kwai Fong.