Philippine Embassy raises Alert Level 4 in Iraq amid tensions

The Philippine government has raised Crisis Alert Level 4 over Iraq as tension escalates following the death of Iranian military general Qassem Soleimani from a US drone strike last week.

Alert level 4 is the highest among the travel advisories of the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) reflecting threats. This particular alert level is issued when "there is large-scale internal conflict or full-blown external attack."

"Inatasan na po ng Pangulong Rodrigo Duterte ang iba't ibang ahensya ng pamahalaan ng Pilipinas, kasama na po ang Embahada ng Pilipinas sa Iraq para ilikas ang mga Pilipino dito sa bansa," Philippine Chargè d’ Affairès Jomar Sadie said in a Facebook Live video.

"Ang marching order sa amin ay mandatory repatriation," he added.

BRP Gabriela Silang

The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) said French-made patrol vessel BRP Gabriela Silang is ready to assist in the repatriation of Filipino workers in the Middle East.

According to the PCG, BRP Gabriela Silang left Saint-Nazaire, France for its maiden voyage last December 30, 2019. It was initially scheduled to arrive in the Philippines on February 10, 2020.

However, as ordered by the national government, the vessel is now preparing to sail to the Middle East, specifically to Oman and Dubai, to ensure the safety of overseas Filipino workers through ferry missions.

The declaration of Alert Level 4 came as Iran fired rockets at Iraq's al Asad airbase, which hosts US forces.

Iranian news agency Mehr said Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps had targeted the base. Tehran has vowed retaliation for Soleimani's killing.

There are at least 1,600 Filipinos in Iraq. More than half are working in Kurdistan region and the rest are in the Baghdad area. In Baghdad, many are employed by the US and other foreign facilities, while some work for regular commercial establishments.

Under alert level 4, all Filipinos are asked to leave and join the ongoing evacuation being offered by the Philippine government.

Advice to OFWs

Sadie reiterated that overseas Filipino workers in Iraq should coordinate closely with the embassy for repatriation and other forms of assistance needed.

Sadie said that an exit visa and ticket should be secured by the OFWs from their employers.

Filipinos in Iraq should also have their passports with them at all times, he stressed.

"Kung wala kayong employer at biktima ng human trafficking, tumawag po kayo sa amin para matulungan namin kayo o pumunta directly sa embassy," he added, noting that appropriate travel documents will be issued to them by the embassy.

In case of employers' refusal to let Filipino workers go home, they may also ask for assistance from the embassy.

"Kapag gusto ninyong umuwi at ayaw kayong pauwiin ng employer at hindi ninyo siya mapakiusapang mabuti, tawagan ninyo po kami at kami ang kakausap sa employer ninyo," Sadie said.

"Bago ninyo kami tawagan, kunin ninyo po 'yung number sa kaniya, mayroon naman po kaming translators dito," he added.

The OFWs in Iraq may contact the Philippine Embassy at 07816066822 (Jom); 07516167838 (Jerome); 07518764665 (Jobbi); and 07508105240 (Richard).

Embassy officials may also be reached through baghdad.pe@dfa.gov.ph, embaphilbaghdad.secretary1@gmail.com, and its official Facebook page. —Michaela del Callar/KBK, GMA News