Article by:
Wilnard Bacelonia
MANILA – Senator Erwin Tulfo on Thursday pushed for a formal bilateral framework between the Philippines and Ukraine, citing gaps in existing agreements that complicate efforts to address cases involving Filipinos caught in the Russia-Ukraine conflict.
This came after Tulfo, chairperson of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, met with Ukraine’s first resident ambassador to the Philippines, Yuliia Fediv, to discuss the situation of Raymon Santos Gumangan, a Filipino currently held as a prisoner of war (POW) after being captured by Ukrainian forces in September 2025.
He said the case highlights the absence of a structured mechanism governing humanitarian coordination and legal processes between the two countries.
“I will ensure that the communication lines between the Philippines and Ukraine remain open so we will be updated about the safety of Filipinos in Ukraine,” Tulfo said in a news release.
During the meeting, Tulfo appealed to the Ukrainian envoy to facilitate communication between Gumangan and his family in Pangasinan.
Ambassador Fediv assured the lawmaker that steps would be taken to enable contact, but noted that securing his release may not be swiftly accomplished due to the lack of a special bilateral agreement covering such situations.
Tulfo said he would coordinate with the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) and the Department of Migrant Workers to help finalize joint arrangements addressing conflict-related cases involving Filipinos abroad.
The senator also raised concerns about the vulnerability of Filipino seafarers working on vessels that may become military targets amid ongoing hostilities.
Since the war began in 2022, the DFA has maintained Alert Level 4 over Ukraine, suspending the deployment of Filipino workers to the European country.
Meanwhile, Fediv said a labor agreement between Ukraine and the Philippines is underway.
“It translates to more jobs for our workers, it’s like we are helping you and you are helping us,” she said.
Tulfo said that formalizing bilateral mechanisms would strengthen crisis response and ensure clearer safeguards for Filipinos affected by armed conflicts overseas. (PNA)
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