The government’s repatriation efforts are underway for around 200 Filipinos in Afghanistan amid the escalating tension between the Taliban and the Afghan government.
As of Aug. 13 evening, the Taliban has already seized control of 17 provincial capitals of Afghanistan after weeks of series of offensives by the group against the government.
The United States and the United Kingdom have already urged their people to evacuate the area.
In an interview with PTV, Samahan ng mga Pilipino sa Afghanistan Pres. Joseph Glenn Gumpal said they “are safe and sound at the moment,” except in other provinces where fighting is ongoing.
“We are observing the situation at the moment, but we are always on alert,” Gumpal said, adding that they have been coordinating with four Filipinos in Mazar, where tension has already escalated.
Recruitment and migration expert Emmanuel Geslani said overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in Afghanistan must be repatriated while they remain safe.
“The US Embassy is already reducing the staff in Kabul. That’s already a sign for OFWs to leave as soon as possible through their contingency plans,” he said.
In a statement, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) in Pakistan said it has already “gathered some 60 individuals for repatriation,” and “more are expected to join the list in the coming days.”
The repatriation is targeted to begin this month.
However, some Filipinos expressed concern about acquiring an Overseas Employment Certificate for those who will go back to the said country. The Philippine Embassy in Pakistan said this will be raised to the appropriate Philippine authorities.
“The Embassy stresses that preserving the life and security of Filipinos in Afghanistan is its primal duty and strongly reiterates its long persistent call to all Filipinos to leave before the situation further deteriorates,” it added. – Report from Naomi Tiburcio/AG-rir
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