All Filipinos in Venezuela safe amid tension —consul

All Filipinos in Venezuela are safe amid the tension following the United States’ attack on the country and the arrest of its long-serving President Nicolás Maduro, the Philippine Embassy in Colombia said Monday.

“Simula po noong January 3, sinusubaybayan na po natin ang ating mga kababayan sa pamamagitan po ng ating group chat with the Filipino community,” Chargé d'Affaires Judy Razon told GMA Integrated News’ Unang Balita in an interview. 

(Since January 3, we have been monitoring our countrymen through our group chat with the Filipino community.)

“Ayon po sa kanila, lahat naman po sila ay nasa safe na sitwasyon. Wala pong nasaktan, wala pong na-injure, at tahimik naman po doon sa kanilang mga lugar so far sa ngayon,” she added. 

(According to them, they are all in a safe situation. No one was hurt, no one was injured, and it is quiet in their areas so far.)

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) has logged 74 Filipinos in Venezuela. 

On Saturday, US President Donald Trump said the US had captured Venezuela's Maduro. 

However, the Venezuelan leader has denied accusations and said Washington was intent on taking control of his nation's oil reserves, the largest in the world.

Maduro was brought to the US to face various charges, including narco-terrorism conspiracy.

Trump said the US would take over Venezuela. 

In its advisory, the Philippine Embassy earlier advised Filipinos to stay alert, be informed, and maintain a list of emergency contacts amid the tension. —AOL, GMA Integrated News