Of the 132 Filipinos in Afghanistan, some 35 individuals have already been evacuated from the troubled nation.
The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on Tuesday (Aug. 17) said 35 Filipinos from Afghanistan who were evacuated by their companies to Doha, Qatar were able to join the DFA chartered flight from Doha to Manila today.
The DFA said it is currently undertaking arrangements for the repatriation of Filipinos still left in Kabul, Afghanistan, where the Taliban installed themselves in the presidential palace.
Alert level 4 was raised by the DFA over Afghanistan on Sunday (Aug. 15) due to the “worsening security situation in the country.” The DFA explained in a statement that alert level 4 is raised “when there is large-scale internal conflict or full-blown external attack.”
Read more: DFA raises alert level 4 over Afghanistan
Mandatory repatriation or evacuation of all Filipinos in the country was ordered immediately.
DFA Assistant Secretary for Strategic Communications Eduardo Meñez told reporters on Tuesday that the DFA is “working non-stop to explore all options to ensure the safety and welfare of our people in Afghanistan in the face of challenging conditions.”
PH willing to welcome asylum seekers
Presidential Spokesperson Secretary Harry Roque said in a public briefing today (Aug. 17) that the country is willing to welcome asylum seekers.
“Since time immemorial, the Philippines has had jurisprudence even before the Convention of Refugees welcoming asylum seekers. Sabi nga ng Korte Suprema sa kaso versus Commissioner on Immigration and Deportation, the Philippines will not hesitate to admit individuals fleeing their homelands because of fear of persecution,” Roque said.
“Lahat po ng kinakailangan ng kalinga dahil sila po ay pini-persecute sa kanilang bayan, mayroon po kayong lugar dito sa Pilipinas,” he added. – Report from Naomi Tiburcio / CF – rir
