MANILA, Philippines – President Aquino ordered government agencies yesterday to ensure the safety of 6,500 Filipinos in Egypt as the Philippines sought for an immediate end to the civil unrest gripping Cairo.
“The Philippine government expresses its concern over the events unfolding in Egypt particularly for the safety of more than 6,500 Filipinos living there. We hope for a peaceful and just resolution to the political unrest currently taking place and the swift return to stability,” said a government statement read by deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte.
Valte said embassy officials in Egypt had already drawn contingency measures in case the situation worsens.
“We are monitoring the situation and our embassy in Cairo has contingencies in place and is prepared to relocate our citizens to safer areas if it becomes necessary to do so,” Valte said.
“We are setting up evacuation centers, three in Cairo and one in Alexandria that are ready for the relocation if needed,” she said.
In the meantime, the government is calling on the estimated 6,500 Filipino workers in Egypt to stay away from public places and areas where anti-government protests are going on, Valte said.
So far no one has been evacuated but the embassy is preparing for all contingencies, Valte added.
Valte said the President had tasked the Presidential Management Staff, the Department of National Defense, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) and the Department of Labor and Employment to make recommendations on what measures should to be taken given the situation in Egypt.
Valte gave assurance evacuation centers had been set up by Philippine officials in Cairo and Alexandria should the need to relocate Filipinos arise.
“The President is still constantly monitoring the situation since the unrest in Egypt began (Friday) night. So the President has been constantly monitoring, in fact, until early morning yesterday,” she said.
Philippine Charge d’Affaires Eduardo Pablo Maglaya told the DFA that they have activated a Crisis Management Center at the embassy chancery with a 24-hour shift of duty officers for immediate access.
“The embassy has also issued an advisory to the leaders and members of the Filipino communities in the area, and advised them to stay indoors, steer clear of public places - especially sites of mass protest - and avoid involvement in political actions. We are in constant communication with the Filipinos here,” Maglaya said.
There are at least 6,569 Filipinos in Egypt, mostly in Cairo and Alexandria. They include professionals and 1,674 students enrolled in Cairo’s prestigious universities.
The embassy said initial reports had revealed no foreigners were reported hurt in the demonstrations.
Officials said they are having difficulty maintaining communications since mobile phones and Internet services are down.
Valte said Presidential Communications Development Secretary Ricky Carandang was able to get through to the Philippine embassy in Egypt even if most communication lines were cut.
Valte said the embassy in Egypt gave assurance that it was ready to relocate Filipinos and extend all assistance should the unrest escalate.
“Nobody will be left behind,” she said.
The group Migrante International, on the other hand, asked the Philippine government to reveal its contingency plan for the Filipino workers in Egypt.
Migrante-Middle East regional coordinator John Leonard Monterona said there are some 20,000 Filipinos in Egypt who might be trapped if the violence there escalates.
“The volatile political situation in Egypt marred by massive rallies staged by thousands of discontented Egyptian protesters demands a closer look and serious concerns on the part of the Aquino administration,” Monterona said.
Monterona urged President Aquino to tap the Presidential Middle East Preparedness Team led by Roy Cimatu and assess the situation in Egypt for the protection of the workers.
“The political situation in Egypt has already escalated,” Monteroma said. “We are urging the Aquino administration to bare its contingency plan for OFWs in Egypt, if there is any.”
President Hosni Mubarak fired his Cabinet early Saturday and promised reforms after protesters battled police with stones and firebombs, burned down the ruling party headquarters and defied a night curfew declared by authorities.
Reports said thousands stayed out on the streets of Cairo, Alexandria and Suez.
Top UN officials yesterday urged the Egyptian government to protect the rights of its citizens amid the political protests taking place in the country.
Anti-government protests are intensifying across Egypt as police clash with demonstrators in several cities demanding the resignation of Mubarak.
Protests continued despite reports of widespread disruptions to Internet and mobile phone service.
UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon stressed that the situation in Egypt, and the wider region, must not lead to further violence.
UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay urged the Egyptian government to exercise restraint, and to initiate investigations into reports of the use of excessive force, particularly the killing of at least five civilians. - Aurea Calica, Pia Lee-Brago, Sheila Crisostomo,