DFA: Contingency plans ready for OFWs in Taiwan in case tension sparks; 'friendship to all'

The Department of Foreign Affairs reiterated contingency measures are in place to assist overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in Taiwan in case tension sparks in the area.

At the same time, the department said the Philippines will be friend to all and will deal with foreign nations based on mutual respect.

"The DFA is committed to the promotion of the welfare and security of all overseas Filipinos, including migrant workers," it said in a statement.

"We assure the public that contingency plans are in place in all places where there are high numbers of OFWs," it added.

DFA said the Philippines' dealings with all countries "have always been on the basis of mutual respect and adherence to the general principles of international law, including the non-use of force as an instrument of national policy."

"We offer our friendship to all," it said.

The DFA issued the statement following the recent remarks of Chinese Ambassador Huang Xilian on the fate of over 200,000 OFWs in Taipei amid the strengthening ties between the Philippines and the US.

Portion of the English transcript posted on the embassy website quoting Huang had said: "Some tried to find excuse for the new EDCA sites by citing the safety of the 150,000 OFWs in Taiwan, while China is the last country that wishes to see conflict over the Strait because people on both sides are Chinese. But we will not renounce the use of force, and we reserve the option of taking all necessary measures. This is to guard against external interference and all separatist activities. The Philippines is advised to unequivocally oppose Taiwan independence rather than stoking the fire by offering the US access to the military bases near the Taiwan Strait if you care genuinely about the 150,000 OFWs."

On Sunday, China's embassy in the Philippines said Huang's remarks about OFWs in Taiwan were misquoted, misunderstood or taken out of context."

"It is appreciated that there was extensive coverage on Ambassador Huang Xilian's speech at the 8th Manila Forum. Unfortunately some misquoted or misinterpreted Ambassador Huang's remarks or simply took part of the Ambassador's words out of context," it said in a statement on its Facebook page.—Michaela Del Callar/LDF, GMA Integrated News