Be vigilant, observe security measures – DFA to OFWs in S. Arabia

Department of Foreign Affairs. (Photo from the DFA Facebook account)

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) issued an advisory late on Tuesday for Filipinos in Saudi Arabia as tensions continued to rise in the Middle East, brought about by the killing of Iranian Gen. Qassem Soleimani during a US-launched drone attack in Iraq.

“In view of recent developments in the region, Filipino communities in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia are advised to be vigilant against potential security threats, observe security measures and protocols established by the Saudi government, and abide by the laws, rules, and regulations of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia,” the DFA said.

In a separate advisory, the Philippine Embassy in Riyadh also assured Filipinos that it was prepared to repatriate any Filipino who might be affected or displaced by the recent situation in the Middle East.

The DFA likewise said that the Filipino community in Saudi Arabia could reach the following contact numbers for security-related incidents, information on developing security situations on the ground, and requests for assistance:

Assistance-to-Nationals Section (ANS), Philippine Embassy in Riyadh

• Landline number: 011-480-1918
• Hotline number: 056 989 3301
• E-mail address: [email protected]

Assistance-to-Nationals Section (ANS), Philippine Consulate General in Jeddah

• Hotline numbers: 055 219 613  and 055 219 614
• E-mail Address: [email protected]

Last Sunday, President Rodrigo Duterte ordered the military to prepare its aircraft and ships for the possible repatriation of overseas Filipino workers in the Middle East.

/atm