Crisis alert level 2 raised over Egypt - DFA

OFWs told to prepare for possible evacuation

MANILA, Philippines - The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) has raised crisis alert level 2 over Egypt where social and political tensions continue after the ouster of the nation's president, the agency said on Tuesday.

"Upon the advice of our Embassy in Cairo, the Secretary of Foreign Affairs just raised crisis alert level 2 over Egypt in view of the deteriorating peace and order situation in that country," DFA spokesman Raul Hernandez said at a televised press briefing on Tuesday afternoon.

With the new crisis alert level, Hernandez said the over 6,000 Filipinos in Egypt are advised to restrict non-essential movements, avoid areas of protests, and prepare for possible evacuation.

Also, under alert level 2, the deployment of newly-hired OFWs in Egypt will also be put on hold while those returning with existing contracts may still proceed but should take precautionary measures.

Hernandez also advised the public to postpone all non-essental trips to Egypt.

Last week, former Egypt president Mohammed Morsi was ousted by the military. Egyptian security forces have reportedly killed more than 50 of his supporters in one of the deadliest single episodes of violence in more than two and a half years of turmoil in the country.

Morsi's Muslim Brotherhood called for an uprising, accusing troops of gunning down protesters, while the military blamed armed Islamists for provoking its forces. - with the Associated Press