Philippines orders mandatory evacuation of Filipinos in Ukraine

The Philippine government on Monday ordered the mandatory evacuation of all Filipinos in Ukraine amid worsening conflict between the Eastern European state and Russia.

"Due to the rapidly deteriorating security situation in Ukraine, the Department of Foreign Affairs has raised the crisis alert level for all areas in Ukraine to Alert Level 4 (Mandatory Repatriation)," the DFA said in a statement.

Under Crisis Alert Level 4, the Philippines undertakes mandatory evacuation procedures at government expense.

"Filipinos in Ukraine will be assisted by the Philippine Embassy in Poland and the Rapid Response Team, which are currently assisting Filipino nationals for repatriation and relocation," the DFA said.

The DFA said it continues to closely monitor the political and security developments in Ukraine after Russia invaded the former Soviet state.

More than 300 Filipinos are living and working in Ukraine.

Manila has been evacuating them in batches since last week and according to the DFA, 141 Filipinos are still in Ukraine.

The Philippine Embassy in Warsaw, Poland has jurisdiction over Ukraine.

Poland, which shares a border with Ukraine has agreed to accept Filipinos evacuating from the beleaguered eastern European state without entry visas. —AOL, GMA News