DFA lowers crisis alert level for Bahrain

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) lowered on Saturday the crisis alert level for Bahrain to “1" after the state of emergency there was lifted. “Under alert level 1, Filipinos are urged to actively monitor ongoing developments. Returning workers are allowed to go back to the concerned country, but non-essential and non-urgent travels are still not allowed," the DFA said in a statement. Last March 15, the DFA raised the crisis alert level to “2" for Bahrain. Under crisis alert level 2, Filipinos are urged to voluntarily relocate or leave the country if they have no pressing need to remain, and to actively monitor developments and be prepared for emergencies. The Bahraini government announced on May 31 the lifting of the state of emergency and invited opposition groups to join talks on political reform. Earlier, Bahrain's state-run news agency reported that Philippine officials have lifted a travel ban to Bahrain after its embassy reported life has returned to normal. It said Philippine Ambassador to Bahrain Corazon Bahjin said travel to and from the Philippines will be normal as usual. — JE, GMA News