PHL Embassy working on repatriation of 69 Pinoys from Yemen

Philippine officials in tension-hit Yemen are now working to repatriate some 69 Filipinos availing of the government's voluntary repatriation program. However, Embassy Charge d'Affaires (CDA) Ezzedin Tago said the exit visas may be processed on Saturday yet, as Thursday and Friday are holidays in Yemen. "Save for three, most of these Filipinos are overstayers and there are penalties that must be settled before the Yemeni Passports Authority would agree to issue them an exit visa," Tago added in an article posted on the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) website. He said the Embassy team has made representations with the Yemeni Ministry of Foreign Affairs requesting for full waiver of the penalties. "Many (have) expressed desire to remain as they are still gainfully employed and are safe in their places of work and residence. Their employers have also assured them that they have an evacuation plan should there be a need to move them out," Tago said. Ready to repatriate Last Tuesday, the DFA announced its readiness to repatriate Filipinos who wish to leave the country at government's expense amid continuing political tension and escalating violence in Sanaa. Under Crisis Alert Level 3, voluntary repatriation at government's expense will be offered to Filipinos who wish to leave Yemen amid escalating tensions. A deployment ban is also in place, together with the Department of Labor and Employment. Likewise, all Filipinos are advised not to travel to Yemen at this time. The Embassy in Riyadh covers Yemen. There are 1,422 Filipinos in Yemen registered with the Embassy. The Embassy teams instructed the Filipino community in Yemen to monitor ongoing developments, keep their communication lines open with the Embassy teams in Sanaa and Aden and with their designated community coordinators. Filipinos were advised to keep an emergency bag ready with clothing, water, canned goods and medicine, for themselves and for their family members, and with important documents such as passports and money ready and at hand. Contingency plan Tago and a five-member team from the Philippine Embassy in Riyadh are in the Yemeni capital of Sanaa to implement the contingency plan. A separate three-man team from the Philippine Consulate General In Jeddah is stationed at the port city of Aden for the same purpose. Additional officers and staff from the Embassy and the Consulate General are on standby in case more personnel are needed to assist in the implementation of the contingency plan in Yemen. Working closely with Philippine Honorary Consul in Yemen Mohammad Al-Jamal, the Embassy teams have been closely monitoring developments in the country, and have briefed the members of the Filipino community there on the Embassy's contingency plan. - VVP, GMA News