DFA raises alert level in Iraq

MANILA, Philippines - The Department of Foreign Affairs yesterday raised alert level 3 in Iraq because of the “higher than expected” surge of violence in the Middle East nation following the withdrawal of US military forces in December.

The alert level was raised in all regions of Iraq except the northern autonomous region of Kurdistan, near the country’s border with Turkey.

Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario ordered the Philippine embassy in Baghdad to urge Filipinos still in the country to avail of voluntary repatriation.

Under alert level 3, Filipinos who wish to leave Iraq are offered voluntary repatriation at the government’s expense. A ban on the deployment of workers is also automatically imposed by the Department of Labor and Employment. Filipinos are likewise advised not to travel to the affected areas while alert level 3 is in effect.

There are currently 192 overseas Filipino workers in Iraq’s Kurdish region and 279 in the rest of the country that are registered with the embassy.

Iraqi Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari, in turn, assured Del Rosario that he is prepared to provide any assistance to the Philippine government’s repatriation efforts.

Embassy officials will also meet with the respective employers of Filipinos who will choose to stay in Iraq to review the security protocols of these companies.