DFA alarmed over missile attacks vs Saudi Arabia

Foreign Affairs Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano (AP photo)

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) is alarmed over the reports that a ballistic missile fired by Yemeni rebels was intercepted as it was heading towards Riyadh, capital of Saudi Arabia.

In light of the missile attack, DFA Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano said they are “strongly concerned” for the safety of close to one million Filipinos in Saudi Arabia.

“This (missile attack) puts innocent civilians, including many of our kababayans (countrymen) there, at serious risk,” Cayetano said in a statement on Saturday.

According to Saudi Arabia’s state-run news agency, Houthi Shiite rebels in Yemen launched a missile against a residential area of the Saudi capital. No damage was reported after the missile was intercepted.

Cayetano said he hopes the conflict in Yemen would be resolved soon for the sake of regional peace and stability.

“It is our fervent hope and prayer that a solution be found to the conflict in Yemen so that we could help bring about peace and stability in the Arabian Peninsula,” Cayetano said.

The DFA chief lauded the Saudi government for keeping Filipino workers safe amidst the two failed missile attacks against Riyadh.

Despite the attacks, Ambassador to Riyadh Adnan Alonto said it is “business as usual” in the country, according to a DFA news release.

Alonto assured Filipino workers in Saudi Arabia and their families in the Philippines that contingency plans are in place in case the conflict escalates, the DFA said. /je