MANILA, Philippines — While saying he is worried for Filipinos in Ukraine, presidential candidate Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. believes there is no need for the Philippines to make a stand amid the conflict there.
Marcos made the remark Tuesday, saying that the problem the Philippines is facing currently are the Filipinos who refuse to leave Ukraine amid the conflict with Russia.
“I’m worried more about our nationals. Marami na raw napunta sa Poland but there are some who do not want to be repatriated so that’s the problem for the Philippines now,” Marcos said in an ambush interview.
Asked for his stand on the Ukraine-Russia conflict, Marcos said: “I don’t think there is a need to make a stand. We are not involved, except for our nationals.”
Marcos’ running mate, vice presidential candidate Inday Sara Duterte-Carpio, on Monday said that the Philippines should be “neutral” and only make a stand if our own interest is put at risk.
“Always neutral, if hindi naman involved ang Philippine interest, laging dapat mauna ang interest ng Pilipinas. That is the only time we take sides if our interest is at risk,” Duterte-Carpio said.
READ: PH should take sides only ‘if our interest is at risk’ – Sara Duterte
In a separate interview on Tuesday, Duterte-Carpio said as a local chief executive, she will heed to the direction of the national government regarding the issue.
The Philippines has voted in favor of a United Nations resolution expressing “explicit condemnation” of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. In voting to condemn Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the Philippines also appealed for the “protection of civilians and civilian infrastructures.”
READ: PH backs UN resolution condemning Russia’s invasion of Ukraine