DFA tells Pinoys in South Sudan to leave

MANILA, Philippines - The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) raised the crisis alert level for South Sudan from level 2 to level 3, encouraging Filipinos to seek permission to go home.

"(Overseas Filipino Workers) in South Sudan are enjoined to seek repatriation from our Embassy in Kenya or the Rapid Response Team which will depart tonight for South Sudan," DFA spokesperson Raul Hernandez said in a statement.

Citizens are also asked to defer travel plans to the area as the civil war and acts of violence continue to ensue. On Sunday, South Sudanese rebels have been blamed for a deadly attack on an American military aircraft, an incident which left scores dead.

"A total OFW deployment ban will also be imposed by the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration," Hernandez also said.

There are about 95 Filipinos staying in the conflict-ridden country.