DFA mulls lowering Myanmar’s Alert Level status

Map of Myanmar. INQUIRER FILES/STOCK IMAGE

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) is “definitely considering” lowering Myanmar’s alert level from 4 to 2 as overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) call for a downgrade.

DFA Undersecretary Eduardo de Vega revealed this in a press conference on Wednesday, noting that around 450 OFWs continue to work in Myanmar, specifically, in the cities of Yangon and Mandalay.

The 450 OFWs opted to stay after the Philippines raised Alert Level 4 and suspended deployment to Myanmar in May 2021.

READ: Two years on, Myanmar coup takes a ‘catastrophic toll’

“We are definitely considering it, because I understand from the [Myanmar] Embassy that the situation is stable in the city where they are working,” de Vega said when asked if the DFA plans to lower the alert level in Myanmar.

“But there will be no approval of deployments, so possibly it may go down to Alert Level 2, which means restricted – meaning only those with valid working visas or have already been working there will be allowed to go back, including the 450,” he added.

READ: DFA: Alert Level 4 on Myanmar stays ‘until further notice’ 

De Vega said he will also personally visit Myanmar to meet with the OFWs and see the current situation in the Southeast Asian nation.

The foreign affairs official likewise explained that trafficking issues in Myanmar was among factors they are considering in their decision to lower the alert level.

READ: PH will not completely remove curbs on Myanmar – DFA

“If there had been no trafficking, it would have been easier, we would’ve come to a decision sooner,” de Vega pointed out.

The DFA raised Alert Level 4 over Myanmar in May 2021 as violence and armed conflict intensified in that country.

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