PHL Embassy urges Pinoys to leave Yemen

The Philippine Embassy team in Sanaa encouraged anew Filipinos to leave Yemen and avail of the Philippine government’s voluntary repatriation program. In an advisory released on May 30, the Embassy team also urged the Filipinos “to consider sending their minor children and dependents to the Philippines immediately while commercial flights are available and the international airport is open and operational." “We strongly urge Filipinos in Yemen to keep in regular contact with their families and friends in outside of Yemen to keep them updated on their status and condtions," Philippine Embassy in Riyadh Charge d’Affaires Ezzedin Tago said. Eight Filipinos will arrive today in Manila, with eight more expected to be home in the coming days. Crisis alert level 3 The DFA announced on May 24 its readiness to repatriate Filipinos who wish to leave the country at the Philippine government’s expense. Under crisis alert level 3, voluntary repatriation at the Philippine government’s expense is offered to Filipinos who wish to leave Yemen because of escalating political tension. In coordination with Department of Labor and Employment, a deployment ban is also in place. All Filipinos in the Philippines and in other countries are also advised not to travel to Yemen at this time. According to a news release of the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on Tuesday, there are 1,422 Filipinos in Yemen registered with the Embassy. Reminders to Filipinos For those who wish to be repatriated, Filipinos in Yemen can contact the Embassy team in Sanaa or at Aden. They have to ensure the validity of their passport and secure a no-objection letter from their employer, as this is a requirement for an exit visa. For those whose passports are missing or withheld by their employers or are overstaying, they are advised to contact the Embassy teams for a possible issuance of a one-way travel document to the Philippines. Those who already have exit visas should submit their passports to the Embassy team for their booking, and make sure that they have one piece of luggage ready and their important documents in a hand-carry cabin luggage. For Filipinos in Yemen who decide to stay behind, they are advised to check the validity of their passports and secure an extension if it is expired or about to expire in the next three months. They are also advised to register with the Embassy team if they have not registered, ask about their company’s evacuation plans and secure a no-objection certificate if they decide to be repatriated. They are also asked to actively monitor ongoing developments, keep their communication lines open with the Embassy teams in Sanaa and Aden and with their designated community coordinators. They are also 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. Filipinos in Yemen are also advised to call the Embassy teams immediately if they feel unsafe in the area they are residing. - VVP, GMA News