AFP ready to aid in repatriating Pinoys in Middle East amid tension

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) is ready to help with the repatriation of Filipinos affected by the continuous tension in the Middle East, spokesperson Colonel Francel Margareth Padilla said Tuesday.

“The Armed Forces of the Philippines is prepared to be in sync with other government agencies in terms of the role that the AFP will play in terms of repatriation,” Padilla told reporters at a press briefing.

“So, we are ready to react swiftly, securely, and in sync with other government agencies on this,” she added.

The first batch of Filipinos is expected to arrive Tuesday night around 7 p.m. after it was delayed due to the temporary suspension of Qatari air traffic after Iran attacked a US military base in Doha.

The Department of Migrant Workers also said 50 more Filipinos could be repatriated this week.

Last week, the Philippine government raised the crisis alert to level 3 in Israel and Iran, urging Filipinos in the affected areas to take advantage of the voluntary repatriation as armed hostilities between the two countries continue.

According to the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration., it has received 35 calls for assistance since the Philippine government raised the Crisis Alert to Level 3 in Israel and Iran. — Mariel Celine Serquiña/RSJ, GMA Integrated News