THE Overseas Workers Welfare Administration yesterday said that the Philippine government is not yet mandating mass repatriation from Ukraine despite the tension between Ukraine and Russia.

OWWA Administrator Hans Cacdac noted that there are around 380 Filipinos living in Ukraine, most of whom are in Kyiv which is the capital of Ukraine.

Of this number, there were five Filipinos–four adults and one infant–who decided to go back to the Philippines on Friday amid reports of an imminent Russian invasion.

However, Cacdac said that the government has not yet raised Alert Level 4 in Ukraine to mandate repatriation or evacuation.

Alert Level 4, according to the Department of Foreign Affairs, is issued when there is “large-scale internal conflict or full-blown external attack” in a certain destination.

“Sa ngayon, ang approach ay tila wait and see. Tingnan kung ano ang mangyayari. Hindi pa nakataas ang highest alert level sa panig ng pamahalaan natin, sa side ng DFA at POEA (Philippine Overseas Employment Administration), so wala pang mandatory repatriation,” the OWWA chief said.

Cacdac however said that the Philippine Embassy in Warsaw is offering free flights back to the Philippines and they are coordinating with the DFA to identify who among the Filipinos in the territory wants to go home.

“Sa huling pagkakaulat sa atin, ay may dalawa na nag-express ng interest na makauwi. Other than that, hindi pa natin nakikita ‘yung tinatawag na mass repatriation dito sa Ukraine,” he added.

Tension grew in the region after Russia deployed troops near Ukraine in recent weeks. The US has warned that Russia may invade Ukraine soon.

On Monday (Russia time), Russian President Vladimir Putin issued an order for troops to proceed to Donetsk and Lugansk, two breakaway regions in eastern Ukraine after recognizing them as independent.

Cacdac explained they are still awaiting further developments regarding the situation in Ukraine, but assured that there is a crisis manual for repatriation for Filipinos should a war breaks out in the territory.

“We will be ready. We stand ready, of course. This is not the first time that we will be doing this. Meron na ‘yang mga identified relocation points, exit points,” he said.

The OWWA chief also pointed out that there were several Filipinos who were already evacuated by batches in areas 350 kilometers from Kyiv, as part of the government’s primary measures to ensure their safety.

Cacdac then urged the public to trust the political and security assessment of the Philippine Embassy in Warsaw which is gauging the situation in Ukraine on the ground.

“Kaya sila ang nandodoon para sila ang sumuri para sa atin. Syempre iba pa ‘yung nasasagap natin sa balita, but our people on the ground will make the final call as to whether itataas ‘yung alert level. So far, ang assessment is hindi pa sapat para magkaroon ng Alert Level 4, ‘yung pinakamataas,” he said.