Filipinos in Egypt urged to avoid crowded places

Filipinos in Egypt were advised Saturday to avoid crowded places amid growing unrest there, even as Philippine officials said no Filipino has been reported hurt so far in the social turmoil. Presidential Communications Development and Strategic Planning Office Secretary Ramon Carandang also said they are trying to maintain contact with the Philippine consulate in Egypt. “(The) Philippine Consulate in Cairo (is) advising Filipinos in Egypt to avoid crowded places and areas where unrest is occurring" Carandang said in a series of Twitter messages posted on the government portal’s Twitter account before dawn Saturday, Manila time. He also said President Benigno Aquino III is “monitoring the situation." Carandang said the Philippines has at least four relocation centers being readied in Egypt if moving Filipinos to safety becomes necessary. “There are about 6,569 Filipinos in the country, mostly in Cairo and Alexandria. Our embassy there says contingencies are in place if necessary," he said. Also, he said the Department of Foreign Affairs and Malacañang are “exerting efforts to maintain contact with (the Philippine) consulate in Egypt." He said that while Internet connections in Egypt are down, the Philippine charge d’affaires “is in touch with (the) Filipino community." The Philippine Embassy facilities and staff are secured, he added. “[There are] no reports of Filipinos hurt in Egypt so far," Carandang said. Protesters took to the streets to demand an end to the 30-year rule of President Hosni Mubarak, who reportedly has sent troops and armored cars into Egyptian cities Friday evening to quell protests. Reports said thousands stayed out on the streets of Cairo, Alexandria and Suez, gathering around mounted armored cars, cheering and waving flags. A report on Catholic website AsiaNews said rallies were conducted after last Friday's prayers in various areas of the capital to protest against the Egyptian government. “They are the result of the burdens everyone, Christians and Muslims [alike], must bear: prices rising 50 fold, insignificant wages, extreme poverty, hunger, lack of drugs and medical care. For Christians, things are even worse because of the discrimination they have to endure," the AsiaNews report said. — LBG, GMANews.TV