04 March 2004 – While the Philippines hopes that the situation in Haiti will improve, it has taken measures to ensure the safety of Filipinos residing in the conflict-stricken country, Acting Foreign Affairs Secretary Rafael Seguis today said.

After Haitian President, Jean-Bertrand Aristide left the capital, Port-au-Prince to seek refuge in the Central African Republic on Monday, 1 March, and in light of the absence of a resident embassy in Haiti, the Philippines requested the US Government’s assistance in ascertaining and ensuring the safety of about 100 Filipinos currently in Haiti and, if the circumstances warrant, to accommodate those who may need to be evacuated to safer grounds.

The Haitian rebel army led by Guy Philippe easily took control of Port-au-Prince after the police forces and loyal followers of President Aristide abandoned their beleaguered leader.  Haiti is now under an interim government under Supreme Court Chief Justice, Boniface Alexandre.

“Notwithstanding this political change and since the peace and order situation in the country may not return to normalcy until sometime, and with the safety of Filipinos being our primary concern, the Department of Foreign Affairs has formally requested the assistance of the US in this matter,” Acting Secretary Seguis confirmed today.

Earlier, the Philippine Honorary Consul to Port-au-Prince, Fitzgerald Oliver James Brandt reported to the Philippine Embassy in Havana, Cuba that he has been able to contact the Filipino community.  It was also learned that some Filipinos were able to cross the border into the Dominican Republic.  Mr. Brandt was likewise requested to monitor the developments, particularly the general condition of the Filipinos.

“Thankfully, we have yet to receive reports of Filipinos being injured or being caught in the crossfire in Haiti,” Acting Secretary Seguis added.

President Bush sent a contingent of over 500 US Marines to Haiti over the weekend to guard key facilities, such as the international airport and the presidential palace, and to protect and evacuate American citizens.

A UN-led international peacekeeping force will soon be dispatched to Haiti to provide security. “The Philippines is fully supporting the UN Security Council’s action in Haiti,” Acting Secretary Seguis said.

Haiti, with a population of 8 million people, is one of the poorest countries in the Americas.  It occupies the western part of the small Caribbean Island of Hispaniola which it shares with the Dominican Republic. – END