MANILA– The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on Saturday assured Filipinos that contingency plans in Saudi Arabia are in place after it expressed “strong concern” over the spate of ballistic missile attacks targeting the Gulf state.
In a statement, Foreign Affairs Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano underscored these attacks endangers the lives of close to one million Filipino nationals residing and working in the area.
“The Philippines is strongly concerned over the series of ballistic missile attacks against Saudi Arabia, including the recent launches targeting populated areas of Riyadh, as this puts innocent civilians, including many of our kababayans there, at serious risk,” he said.
Ambassador to Riyadh Adnan Alonto reported on Tuesday the successful interception by Saudi authorities of a ballistic missile launched from Yemen that targeted a populated area in Riyadh. The latest attack came a month after a similar missile was intercepted near the country’s international airport.
Despite the the attacks, he said the situation in Riyadh remains normal and is “business as usual” in the Kingdom.
Meanwhile, the envoy assured Filipino workers in Saudi Arabia and their families in the Philippines that contingency plans are in place to ensure that the Embassy would be able to lead Filipinos to safety in case the situation escalates.
In his statement, Cayetano also expressed hope that the conflict in Yemen could be resolved soon for the sake of regional peace and stability.
“It is our fervent hope and prayer that a solution be found to the conflict in Yemen so that we could help bring about peace and stability in the Arabian Peninsula,” he said.
He also expressed his gratitude to Saudi Arabia for keeping Filipino workers safe despite the two ballistic missile attacks that have targeted Riyadh.
“The Philippines is thankful to Saudi Arabia for continuing to ensure the safety and security not only of its citizens but also of our kababayans there.” (PNA)
