PHL Embassy alerts Pinoys in Bahrain on protests

Philippine officials in Bahrain have warned Filipinos of possible demonstrations and marches there in the coming days. The Philippine Embassy advised the Filipino community to take "extra precautions" when they encounter such gatherings. "Filipinos are requested to take extra precautions when going out and to refrain from going out if you do not have anything important to do," Consul General Sahid Glang said in an advisory posted on the embassy's website Tuesday. Citing an "unverified source," Glang said demonstrations were scheduled for June 1 (Wednesday) and June 3 (Friday). The June 1 actions include "widespread potential protests" in Jidhafs, Sanabis, Karanah, Karbabad, Abu Saibah, Maqabah, Old Bilad, Abu Quwah, Sehla, Diraz, Bin Jamrah, Sar, Karzakan, Malkiyah, Nuwaidrat, Eker, Tubli, Sitra, Naim, Manama, Al Dair, Aali, Juffair and Hamad town. Glang cited "online sources" as saying the protests would be at 4:00 p.m., local time. For June 3, he said marches were announced but no details were immediately available. Only last May 24, Glang advised Filipinos in Bahrain about the partial lifting of a curfew as the security situation there "improved." Earlier, the Philippine Embassy advised Filipinos there to remain cautious of spontaneous protests that may occur from time to time, even if authorities there had relaxed their curfew. It reminded Filipinos to keep current with local events and to stay away from large gatherings. - VVP, GMA News