The Philippine Military has revealed that they will be sending its biggest aircrafts and ships and close to 1,000 soldiers to the Middle East to aid in the repatriation of Filipinos affected by the US-Iran conflict.
“We are still in the planning stage, we are still preparing troops,” Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana told reporters.
“Si Secretary Locsin naman ay nakikipag-negotiate, nakikipag-ugnayan sa mga ibang bansa doon kung ano pang kailangang mga papeles para pumasok ‘yong mga tao natin and other logistics, kasi magpapadala tayo ng mga barko at eroplano. Saan sila lalanding, saan sila magda-dock, refuelling, supplies,” Lorenzana added.
The defense chief named the naval assets BRP Tarlac and BRP Davao Del Sur, both landing dock ships will be part of the missions.
Navy chief Vice Admiral Robert Empedrad told ABS-CBN News that 500 people could fit in a landing dock ship.
“Ang landing dock can accommodate 750 people, kasama na crew,” he added.
“We can fit in 600 to 700 kung ire-repatriate ang mga Pilipino,” he added.
“We are ready to deploy within 72 hours. The longest is 22 days, kung ayon sa dagat. Kung mabilis, 18 days,” he said.
Lorenzana added that the air assets will be 2 C-150 transport planes and one smaller C-295 aircraft.
Lorenzana, however, clarified that the soldiers who will be deployed will not be in the Middle East for combat.
They will only assist in the repatriation process.
“We will be very careful on that. Baka mamaya, maipit tayo sa putukan diyan. Otherwise, they will stay in the ship,” Lorenzana added.
Militant group Migrante has condemned the government’s militarization of the repatriation process.
“If there is any genuine concern and sincerity on the part of the Philippine government for the imperiled OFWs, it should be sending social workers, health care professionals and translators instead of militarizing evacuation operations,” Migrante said in a statement.
