Pinayuhan ng Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) ang mga Filipino na iwasang bumiyahe sa Iraq dahil sa nagaganap na tension doon.
Ayon sa DFA, dapat kanselahin na ng mga Filipino ang kanilang biyahe sa lugar para hindi na sila madamay sa anumang karahasan.
Sinabi naman ni DFA Assistant Secretary Eduardo Meñez, mahigpit nilang binabantayan ang kalagayan sa naturang bansa at nakahanda sila anumang oras para palikasin ang mga Filipino na nandoon sa lugar.
Pinaalalahanan din nila ng mga Filipino na makipag-ugnayan sa Philippine embassy at sa kanilang employers kung sakaling ipatupad ang mandatory evacuation.
Magugunitang nagkakaroon ng tension sa rehiyon matapos na mapatay ng US sa kanilang airstrike ang pangunahing Iran general sa Iraq na si Qasem Soleimani.
Ang Amerika ay nag-utos na rin nang pagpapaalis sa mga embassy official at mga US citizens na nakabase sa Iraq dahil sa pangamba na pagganti ng Iran.
Narito ang buong advisory ng Philippine Embassy sa Baghdad”
“The Philippine Embassy in Baghdad advises Filipinos to cancel any travel to Iraq in view of heighten tensions and uncertainty.”
“Filipinos who are currently in Iraq are advised to review their passport validity, their contingency plans with their respective companies, and important documents namely the Undertaking for Demobilization of Workers. Filipinos should advise their companies about any indication of threat or danger.”
“Upon any indication of threat or danger, Filipinos should consider filing a leave of absence from work and head back to the Philippines or other countries via commercial flight. With the US Embassy in Baghdad issuing an advisory for Americans to immediately leave Iraq, Filipinos who are employed by American companies and are considering leaving Iraq may do so immediately and are advised not to approach the Philippine Embassy anymore.”
“Filipinos in Iraq needing assistance may contact the Philippine Embassy in Baghdad at (+964) 781-606-6822; (+964) 751-616-7838; and (+964) 751-876-4665 or via email: baghdad.pe@dfa.gov.ph; and/or via facebook page: Philippine Embassy in Iraq.”
