In the wake of the recent provocation by South Korea’s alleged military exercise in the disputed waters and that gave rise to North Korea’s defiance and artillery bombardment of an island, Yeonpyeong, the rest of the World is now in close vigilance as a carrier group led by the aircraft carrier USS George Washington is steaming into Korean waters to join the a joint United States-South Korea military exercise scheduled on this coming Sunday.
60 thousand Filipinos now face danger
In times foregone, gunboat diplomacy was used to quell or even invade. Perhaps no longer in these times but the show of support and might places 60 thousand Filipinos and certainly for other foreign nationals, at risk in South Korea should further provocations lead to an all out war between North and South Korea.
These are moments of high anxiety indeed.
Conejos said…
We have a contingency plan that’s being prepared by the DFA and the embassy. The plan is detailed and there is a crisis management committee. We have a movement plan in the event of hostilities
Labor Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz, for her part, said the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) board has initially set aside P25 million as part of contingency measures.
Baldoz said…
The fund is being readied for any eventuality and the OWWA board may even provide additional money if the need arises
Meanwhile, Philippine Coast Guard commandant Admiral Wilfredo Tamayo said they were ready to help evacuate 60,000 Filipinos in South Korea in the event of a full-blown war.
I just hope that all that is not hot air and that they really have the means to bring our fellow Filipinos home to safety in the event of an escalation of hostility.
General Santos Time
