Thirteen Filipinos were repatriated from Ukraine, the Department of Foreign Affairs said Wednesday, as Russia continues offensives in the former Soviet republic.
The Filipinos arrived in Manila on Tuesday via an Emirates Airlines flight, bringing the total number of repatriates from Ukraine to 19 according to the DFA.
The latest batch of repatriates was among 40 evacuees who left Ukraine's capital Kyiv and were welcomed by Foreign Affairs Sec. Teodoro Locsin Jr. at the Polish border.
The DFA said it shouldered all the repatriation expenses, including transport expenses from Kyiv to Warsaw in Poland, food and accommodation, RT-PCR test, and airfare to Manila.
Filipinos living in Ukraine who are in need of help for repatriation are advised by the DFA to contact the Philippine Embassy in Poland by sending an email to warsaw.pe@dfa.gov.ph or calling the emergency number +48 604 357 396, and office mobile number +48 694 491 663.
Earlier this week, the Philippines expressed its "explicit condemnation" of the invasion of Ukraine and called for the protection of civilians, urging involved parties to resort to a peaceful settlement of disputes.
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