VP Binay off to Middle East despite tensions

Vice President Jejomar Binay will push through with his schedule in the Middle East despite escalating tensions in several countries there.

President Benigno Aquino III said Binay will represent him in several functions in line with the celebration of Kuwait National Day.

The Vice President is set to leave on Friday for an official trip to Kuwait and Riyadh in Saudi Arabia and Abu Dhabi and Dubai in the United Arab Emirates. He will stay in the Middle East for one week.

Aquino said he could not leave the country because of the long-week celebration for the 1986 Edsa People Power Revolution anniversary.

“Matagal ng schedule yun… I asked him (Binay) if he can represent me in the celebration so he is proceeding to Kuwait. My instruction the primary topic has to be our OFWs and their protection. So that would be the main agenda,” the President said.

Political unrest beleaguered the countries of Libya, Bahrain and Yemen.

Aquino ordered the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) to act swiftly in attending to the needs of Filipinos caught in strife in these countries.

He said since the start of tension, the government has been in constant communication with the Philippine embassy in Tripoli in Libya.

He reiterated that there is still no need for force evacuation.

“Systems are in place and I understand that arrangements have already been made for our citizens to be brought to safer locations but it is still voluntary,” he said.

Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) data said there were 13,593 Filipinos in Bahrain, 10,901 in Libya and 1,081 in Yemen in 2010.

By Jill Beltran