Assuring Filipinos in the continent that they are oreoared to provide assistance to those who may be affected.
On Monday, October 19, Malacañan Palace said that the government is closely monitoring developments such as public demonstrations in Europe, specifically in countries like France and Italy.
Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said: “When there are incidents like this, the President (Ferdinand Marcos, Jr.) first orders the concerned agencies to look into the situation and attend to the needs of our fellow Filipinos in affected areas.”
She added that Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac is closely monitoring the situation, especially in Italy.
“Whatever the situation may be, the first thing the government protects is the lives and safety of our people,” the official added.
The Palace also expressed hope that the unrest in France, Italy, and other European countries would end peacefully and would not affect European leaders’ planned attendance at the ASEAN Summit in Manila next month.
ADVISORIES FROM CONSULATES IN FRANCE, ITALY
In light of the ongoing situation, the Philippine Embassy in Paris said that no Filipino was injured, included in the casualties, or arrested in connection with the protests on October 17.
“Ilang insidente ng karahasan at pinsala sa ari-arian ang naiulat sa ilang bahagi ng bansa, kabilang ang Paris,” it said.
Filipinos in France are advised to remain calm, avoid protest areas and large gatherings, and follow the instructions of local authorities.
They also listed their hotlines, where affected Filipinos in France can reach out to.
- Assistance-to-Nationals (ATN) Hotline: +33 6 80 11 52 71
- Consular Hotline: +33 6 20 59 25 15
- Email Address: paris.pe@dfa.gov.ph
In Italy, the Philippine Consulate General in Milan also shaded their hotline numbers.
- ATN hotline : +39 389 683 5076
- MWO Milan hotline : +39 375 657 2333
- OWWA Milan hotline : +39 375 676 2592
