Isko Moreno’s foreign policy: Filipinos’ safety first

MANILA, Philippines — If elected president, Manila Mayor Isko Moreno would prioritize the welfare of Filipinos abroad “first thing in the morning.”

During a campaign sortie in General Trias, Cavite last Friday, reporters asked him what would be the foreign policy of the Moreno administration if the conflict between Russia and Ukraine persists after the May 9 election.

He said the first policy he would enforce is to save Filipinos based in Ukraine, currently attacked by the Russian military.

“My first policy is to save Filipino citizens before anything else,” Moreno said.

“If you ask me if I get elected, that’s the first thing in the morning – when I open my eyes if I am president – that’s what I’ll be doing first to save (Filipinos) and bring them back to our country, a safe place to reunite with their families,” he added.

Making sure overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) are free from harm would be his “job as president,” he also said.

“That is the job of the president, one of the key responsibilities is to protect every Filipino in the country and in the whole world,” he said.

Moreno also noted he would not blame OFWs for choosing to stay in war-torn countries.

“We need to understand that our OFWs go overseas – despite the pain of being far away from their families – because they need to have work.”

He appealed to Filipinos in Ukraine to get in touch with Philippine embassies and consulates.

Government claims there are more than 300 Filipinos in Ukraine.

He declined to comment on the government’s response to the Russia-Ukraine crisis.

“For me, I believe the government is already doing something about it. I don’t want to judge them,” Moreno replied.

At the same time, Moreno said he would uphold a so-called “Filipino first” policy when the country enters into agreements with other countries.

“Filipino first is my standard. What benefits will the Philippines and its citizens have? That’s the important foreign policy,” he said.

“If we would join, sign a contract, an organization or trade for that matter, Filipinos should always benefit,” Moreno added.

The Aksyon Demokratiko slate was full force in its campaign in Cavite last Friday, wherein Moreno was joined by his vice presidential bet Dr. Willie Ong and his senatoriables Samira Gutoc, Jopet Sison and Carl Balita.

On the issue of the country’s claim to the West Philippine Sea occupied by Chinese forces, he previously declared he would be “fearless” in asserting the claim and would be responsive to the plight of Filipino fishermen, while at the same time would be “fair” in dealing with other countries also occupying the South China Sea, especially in trade.