Smart, Globe give free load assistance to Filipinos in Afghanistan

Amid the tensions in Afghanistan, PLDT Inc.’s wireless arm Smart Communications Inc. and Globe Telecom Inc. are giving free load assistance to all Filipinos stranded in the Middle Eastern country.

In a statement, Smart said it is giving all Afghanistan-based Filipinos prepaid load on their Smart roaming SIMs to make urgent calls and texts to coordinate their evacuation or to assure their families and friends of their safety or whereabouts.

They will also receive a free Roam Lite 250 subscription with 200MB open access for web surfing and social media app usage valid for three days to help them stay informed of the situation in the conflict-ridden country, the telco said.

“We are monitoring the situation in Afghanistan and are ready to provide assistance to our kababayans. Access to communication and information during this time of crisis is of extreme importance. We are also praying for their safety as they await evacuation,” said Alfredo Panlilio, PLDT Inc. and Smart Communications president and CEO.

Smart roamers in Afghanistan can also get instant and free access to Smart’s data roaming manager by going to http://roam.smart.com.ph using their Smart roaming SIM, according to the telco.

Globe said the free load assistance will allow the stranded Filipinos to use its roaming services in order to connect with and update their loved ones of their status.

The company added it started extending bill credits for postpaid subscribers and sending free load for Prepaid and TM users on August 17.

Customers can use it to make or receive calls, and send text messages to all networks while in Afghanistan, it said.

“In light of this situation, we are offering assistance to our subscribers in Afghanistan. It is of utmost importance that our customers are able to reach out and communicate with their loved ones,” said Coco Domingo, Globe vice president for Postpaid and International Business.

To enjoy the free roaming service, subscribers need to make sure they are connected to Globe’s roaming partner, Roshan, the telco said.

“To make a call. Dial “+”+ country code + area code + telephone number (ex. +63773101212) or dial “+” + country code + mobile number (ex. +639171234567). To send a text, type “+”+ country code + mobile number (ex. +639171234567),” it said.

The Department of Foreign Affairs recently issued Alert Level 4 for the whole of Afghanistan due to the unrest in the country as the Taliban solidify their control of the capital.

Alert Level 4 is the highest security warning given by the Philippines on countries that pose risks to Filipino travelers and workers due to armed conflict or disaster

Flights in Afghanistan have been cancelled and the government has fallen.

Filipinos in Afghanistan who need help were advised to contact the Philippine Embassy in Pakistan via its Facebook page, through email at isbpeatn@gmail.com, or WhatsApp or Viber at +92 33-3524-4762, Smart said.

 

 

In a statement,Taliban forces took over the capital, Kabul, last Sunday, prompting President Ashraf Ghani to flee the country, ending two decades of US military presence.

 

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) already ordered the mandatory evacuation of around 130 Filipinos in Afghanistan. 

However, many are yet to leave due to the cancellation of commercial flights.

Thousands of people also mobbed Hamid Karzai International Airport to flee the Taliban’s hardline rule.

 

—AOL, GMA News