DFA: Alert level 1 remains in South Korea

MANILA, Philippines – Filipinos in South Korea are still under alert level 1 as the “situation remains normal and calm” in the area, Foreign Affairs spokesperson Assistant Secretary Raul Hernandez said on Wednesday.

“There are no changes… it is still peaceful in South Korea,” he told Radyo Inquirer 990AM in an interview.

DFA Assistant Secretary Raul Hernandez. INQUIRER.net FILE PHOTO

But the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) was prepared to assist some 40,000 Filipinos who would be at risk in case tension escalates between North and South Korea.

“Alert Level 1 means that they are on heightened alertness but if the situation worsens we will raise it to Alert Level 2 which puts them on restricted movement. Alert Level 3 [would mean] relocation and Alert Level 4 is the time we would repatriate them,” said Hernandez.

The Philippine Embassy in South Korea has identified Gimhae International Airport and Busan Seaport as two of its evacuation centers, added the DFA official. Karen Boncocan, INQUIRER.net