MANILA, Philippines - Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario raised alert level 3 in Egypt yesterday amid escalating civil unrest and the declaration of a month-long state of emergency there.
Alert level 3 calls for the voluntary repatriation of Filipinos from the strife-torn country.
Philippine Ambassador to Cairo Claro Cristobal recommended the raising of the alert level, which also means that the deployment of new workers, as well as the return to Egypt of vacationing workers, spouses of Egyptians and Islamic University students and their dependents, are suspended.
Del Rosario ordered the Philippine embassy in Cairo to assist in the repatriation of Filipinos who wish to return to the country. There are around 6,000 Filipinos in Egypt.
The United Nations strongly condemned the violence in Cairo, where Egyptian security officers used force to clear sit-ins and demonstrations.
The crackdown came days after UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon renewed his call for all parties to reconsider their actions in light of new political realities and to prevent further loss of life.
Hundreds were reported killed or wounded in clashes between security forces and demonstrators demanding the reinstatement of deposed Egyptian president Mohamed Morsi.
Reluctant to leave
But most Filipinos are reluctant to leave and prefer to stay in Egypt despite the prevailing hostilities there, the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) reported yesterday.
OWWA chief Carmelita Dimzon said they have yet to receive requests for repatriation.
“It’s alert level 3 which means voluntary repatriation, so it is up to workers if they want to return home immediately. We are closely monitoring the situation, but as of now there is no request for repatriation,” she said.
Dimzon said OWWA and the Department of Labor and Employment are ready to provide alternative source of livelihood for returning Filipino workers.
Dimzon said OWWA would provide repatriation assistance only for OWWA members while the DFA would handle the cost of repatriating undocumented Filipino workers.
“Based on our data, there are not too many OWWA members in Egypt. Nevertheless, we will be extending reintegration assistance,” she said.
The Philippine Overseas Employment Administration earlier imposed a temporary ban on the deployment of workers to Egypt.
‘Pray for Filipinos in Egypt’
Meanwhile, Vice President Jejomar Binay asked the Filipino people to pray for Filipinos in Egypt. – With Jose Rodel Clapano, Mayen Jaymalin
“I ask everyone to pray for their safety and for peace to reign in Egypt,” Binay, presidential adviser on overseas Filipino workers concerns, said.
“I urge our kababayans in Egypt to take all the necessary precautions and to immediately get in touch with the Philippine embassy in Cairo to receive instructions,” he added.
Binay said the government is ready to provide assistance to Filipinos in Egypt.
