No evacuation for OFWs in Bahrain, Libya, Yemen

MANILA, Philippines - So far, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) sees no need to draw up evacuation plans to repatriate overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) from Bahrain, Libya and Yemen, where civil unrest is brewing.

DFA spokesman lawyer Ed Malaya said that the embassies in those countries have only issued advisories to Filipino nationals to “stay indoors” and avoid places where protest actions are taking place.

“There is no necessity for repatriation at this time,” Malaya said.

“But our embassies are on heightened alert.”

“According to the Philippine embassies concerned, our community members are relatively safe,” Malaya added.

Meantime, Sen. Manuel Villar Jr. urged the DFA yesterday to issue travel advisories and caution Filipinos against traveling to Bahrain and Libya at this time, given the rising political tensions in the two countries.

Villar, chairman of the Senate trade committee, also called on the trade, energy and labor departments to come up with a comprehensive study and concrete proposals on how an escalation of hostilities between protesters and government forces in these countries could impact on the national economy and the welfare of OFWs.

Compared to an estimated 6,000 Filipinos in Egypt, Villar said there are around 40,000 Filipino workers in Bahrain and more than 10,000 workers in Libya.

“Let us make sure that our embassies in these two countries are fully supported with contingency funds and manpower to assist our workers to safety when the situation calls for it,” Villar said. – With Christina Mendez