Pinoys in Thailand safe amid turmoil, DFA exec says

Filipinos in Thailand are safe amid the growing violence there, the Department of Foreign Affairs reassured Thursday. Citing reports from the Philippine Embassy in Thailand, the DFA said it has not received any report of Filipinos injured in the violence as of Thursday morning. "As of 9 a.m. today [Thursday], the Embassy has not received information on any Filipino national getting hurt or being put in mortal danger because of the political turmoil," a statement quoting Ambassador Antonio Rodriguez said. The statement was posted on the DFA website early Thursday afternoon. In the statement, Rodriguez said the Philippine Embassy has an Emergency Response Team whose primary task is to provide immediate assistance to Filipino nationals who have safety and security concerns. "The Embassy will provide assistance as appropriate, including immediate repatriation to the Philippine should this become necessary," he added. He said the Embassy can be contacted anytime at telephone number (+66) 8 992 65954 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting              (+66) 8 992 65954      end_of_the_skype_highlighting. Curfew extended Also, the DFA said it continues to closely monitor the situation and is prepared to extend additional assistance when necessary. "Although the Thai government has put an end to the anti-government mass rally, the political situation remains tense and would likely be so for the next couple of days. In view of this, the Embassy strongly recommends that Filipinos defer all non-essential travels to Bangkok," Rodriguez said. An Associated Press report said Thai authorities have extended the curfew in Bangkok and 23 other provinces by three more days. Army spokesman Col. Sansern Kawekamnerd says the curfew would be in force from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. until Saturday night. [See: Curfew extended by 3 days in Bangkok, 23 provinces] The DFA said at least 21 buildings, including the Thai Stock Exchange, several banks, the Metropolitan Electricity Authority headquarters, and the Siam Cinema in Siam Square, were allegedly set on fire by demonstrators who did not agree with their leaders' call to end the rally. Red Shirt followers also rioted in several provinces in the northeast. On Wednesday, seven members of the Red Shirt leadership surrendered to the police. According to reports, seven people died and 81 were injured on the military crackdown yesterday, bringing the fatalities to 44 since protests started on March 12. — RSJ, GMANews.TV