Filipinos in Yemen told to leave at the earliest

Manila: Filipinos in Yemen had been ordered to immediately leave the country as allied forces launch air strikes following a coup launched by Al Houthi rebels against the government of President Abd Rabbo Mansour Hadi.

Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Abigail Valte called on the remaining 700 Filipinos in Yemen to prepare to leave the country while as the Philippine government maps out immediate steps for their repatriation.

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), acting through the Philippines Embassy in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, had advised Filipinos remaining in Yemen to immediately leave, but if they cannot do so, Manila has asked them to inform the DFA by sending a waiver through text message.

“To all Filipinos who does not want to leave, please text the following details: Full Name and the information in Filipino saying that “I do not want to leave in Yemen despite the advice of the DFA,” Embassy said.

Some Filipinos in Yemen hold sensitive positions in technical services.

Manila has no formal diplomatic ties with Yemen acting mainly through the office of Philippine Ambassador to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia Ezzedin Tago.

According to Philippine Labour Secretary Rosalinda Baldos, a consular team from Manila is being prepared for deployment to Yemen to help out in the evacuation of Filipinos there.

It can be recalled that the Philippine government had several times before advised Filipinos in the embattled Middle East country to leave while they can.

In February, the DFA ordered Filipinos in Yemen to observe Alert Level 4, meaning mandatory repatriation.

“Under Alert Level 4, the Philippine Government undertakes mandatory evacuation procedures,” the DFA said in a statement.

“All Filipinos are urged to contact the embassy’s team in Sana’a for assistance in the implementation of the mandatory repatriation of all Filipinos from Yemen,” it said.

Recent reports reaching Manila said the government in Yemen is in danger of collapse following a coup by Al Houthi rebels.

President Hadi had called on other countries for help and Saudi Arabia immediately responded by launching air strikes against Al Houthi rebels.

An international effort, Operation Storm of Resolve, had been launched against the rebels.

The text message can be sent to the numbers 730187540, 737426292, 733844958 or 730194165. Likewise the embassy can also be reached via e-mail at cmt-sanaa@riyadhpe.com.