Filipinos in Afghanistan ask for repatriation

More than 90 Filipinos in conflict-hit Afghanistan are appealing to the government to undertake repatriation efforts amid the Taliban's takeover of the country.

Over the weekend, the Philippine government declared Alert Level 4, which orders mandatory evacuation, as the Islamist militants entered the capital.

According to the Department of Foreign Affairs, there were 130 Filipinos in Afghanistan. According to JP Soriano's "24 Oras" report, 32 were able to join a flight that has already landed in Doha, Qatar.

Among the 98 Filipinos remaining in Afghanistan is Ricardo Tacbad, who is seeking immediate evacuation before it is too late for them.

"Hindi kami sure kung ano mangyari sa amin bukas. Habang, we are still alive and kicking, kumilos na po kayo. Kumilos na po kayo please," Tacbad said in the report.

[We are not sure about what will happen to us tomorrow. While we are still alive and kicking, please move now. I hope the government will move quickly.]

Another Filipino still in Afghanistan is Mark Suela, who works as security for a hotel near Kabul airport. He said he is also worried, especially with videos circulating online of several residents wanting to flee the country.

As the Taliban ordered fighters in Kabul, thousands of Afghans crowded the airport's tarmac trying to get onto planes flying out of the country. At least five people have been reported killed amid the chaos, while Afghan President Ashraf Ghani has reportedly left the country. 

Suela also shared a video he filmed where gunshots are heard near his area.

The Foreign Affairs department said 130 Filipinos are in Afghanistan, of whom while 30 of them have already secured a flight, which landed at Doha, Qatar.

The militant group Taliban seized Afghanistan's capital 20 years after being ousted by American forces in 2001.  

Palace said it has already organized a repatriation program for Filipinos in Afghanistan. — Consuelo Marquez/BM, GMA News