Filipinos in Yemen told to repatriate due to ‘deteriorating’ security situation

By: Matikas Santos - 10 years ago

Houthi Shiite Yemenis wearing army uniforms ride in a pickup while patrolling in a street near Republican Palace, in Sanaa, Yemen, Monday, Feb. 16, 2015. AP

MANILA, Philippines – All Filipinos in Yemen have been told to leave the country as soon as possible after the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) raised crisis alert level 4 due to the unstable political and security situation in the Middle Eastern country.

“The DFA has raised Alert Level 4 for Yemen due to the deteriorating political and security situation in the country,” The Philippine Embassy in Saudi Arabia said in an advisory released February 18, 2015.

“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.

Alert Level 4 requires the mandatory repatriation of all Filipinos in Yemen.

“For those who require the assistance of the Embassy for their repatriation, the Philippine Government will shoulder the one-way airfare and payment of immigration penalties of Filipinos requiring assistance subject to applicable procedures,” the statement said.

Filipinos who require the Embassy’s assistance for their repatriation are advised to follow the steps below:

1. Contact the Philippine Embassy Team in Sana’a at:
Crisis Management Team
Movenpick Hotel Sana’a
Berlin St., Sana’a, Yemen
Mobile: +967.73.384.4958
Email: cmt-sanaa@riyadhpe.com
2. Secure a “No Objection Certificate” (NOC) from the sponsor of your entry visa or working visa, and have the sponsor / employer arrange the exit visa from the concerned authorities;
3. Bring the original copy of your Philippine passport and NOC to the Embassy’s Team at Movenpick Hotel. Passports of those for repatriation with expired validity will be extended gratis;
4. Those whose Philippine passports have been lost, bring two (2) copies of ID-size photos for gratis issuance of Philippine Travel Documents;
5. Bring proof of OWWA membership if applicable; and,
6. Await advice from the Embassy on further procedures or arrangements for repatriation.

The Embassy further urged all Filipinos to “avoid unnecessary travel outside their homes,” and “also not to participate in any protests and to avoid areas of conflict.”