OFWs to exit Egypt through Cairo or Alexandria—DFA

Egyptian army stand guard around the Republican Guard building in Nasr City in Cairo, Egypt, Monday, July 8, 2013. Egyptian soldiers and police opened fire on supporters of the ousted President Mohammed Morsi early Monday in violence that left dozens of people killed, including one officer, outside the military building in Cairo where demonstrators had been holding a sit-in, government officials and witnesses said. AP/Khalil Hamra

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippines is eyeing the cities of Cairo and Alexandria in Egypt as possible exit points for Filipinos once mandatory evacuation is warranted amid the worsening unrest in the Arab country, according to the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA).

DFA spokesperson Assistant Secretary Raul Hernandez also reported on Wednesday that no overseas Filipino workers (OFW) has been hurt in the civil strife in Egypt, where supporters of ousted Egyptian President Mohammad Morsi and the Egyptian military have been locked in escalating clashes.

“For now, we are still positive that the airport in Cairo will be ensured for continuous operation. And we have also identified Alexandria, [it] having an airport and also a seaport. So those are possible exit points for our OFWs when we decide to raise the alert level to a mandatory evacuation,” said Hernandez in a press briefing on Wednesday.

The DFA on Tuesday hoisted Crisis Alert Level 2 over Egypt, restricting the movement of almost 6,000 Filipinos across the Arab country as violence continued.

“Fortunately, no Filipino has so far been caught in the violence in Egypt,” said Hernandez.

“Nevertheless, we wish to reiterate that Crisis Alert Level 2 is still in effect and that Filipinos in Egypt are still advised to restrict non-essential movements, avoid public places, and to prepare for the possible evacuation,” he said a press briefing.

Government has also suspended for the meantime the deployment of fresh hires into Egypt while returning OFWs were advised “to take precautionary measures” if they wish to push through with their flight to Egypt.

“Non-essential travel to Egypt should likewise be deferred until further notice,” said Hernandez.

The current alert level is the second in the country’s four-level emergency advisory system for OFWs. Level 3 starts a voluntary evacuation from the area of concern while Level 4 initiates a mandatory evacuation.

“If the security and peace and order situation becomes untenable for our people, then we have to raise it to Alert Level 3 and then 4,” said Hernandez.

Filipino workers in Egypt are mostly based in Cairo and Alexandria, employed household service workers, professionals and skilled workers in Egyptian construction firms.