DFA says it is ready to repatriate Filipinos in Nicaragua

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) has assured Filipinos in Nicaragua that it is ready to repatriate them due to the continuing civil unrest in the country.

DFA said on Thursday that none of the 86 Filipinos in Nicaragua have so far been affected by the unrest, but it gave assurances that the agency can help them fly home anytime.

“We would like to assure our kababayan in Nicaragua that we are ready to fly them home anytime,” Foreign Affairs Secretary Alan Peter S. Cayetano said in a statement.

He urged the members of the Filipino community to remain vigilant and be ready for any eventuality.

The DFA said only three Filipinos have so far availed of the voluntary repatriation offer. They were flown from the capital city of Managua on July 8 and arrived in Manila on July 10.

The Philippine Embassy in Mexico led by Ambassador Demetrio R. Tuason continues to monitor the situation in Nicaragua since rioting and looting erupted in various parts of the country in April, according to the department.

A team was dispatched to Managua to assess the situation on the ground and to meet with the Filipino community there.

At least 280 people have died and 2,000 were injured since the unrest broke out three months ago.

The unrest began when Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega introduced a proposed a policy that reduces benefits and increasing taxes of country’s social security system.

Despite the withdrawal of the proposal, violence escalated in the provinces. /ee

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