Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Abigail Valte. 蜜桃工作室 file photo.
The Philippine government said on Saturday that it has protocols in place should there be a need for Filipinos to be evacuated in South Korea amid tensions there.
鈥淲e have a good protocol in South Korea in as far as the evacuation and the information network of our OFWs there are concerned because we have Filipino groups in South Korea. Nandiyan 鈥榶ung mga Filipino teachers natin, 鈥榶ung mga Filipino professors natin; nandiyan 鈥榶ung mga religious groups natin in South Korea and they are very actively in touch with our embassy,鈥� Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Abigail Valte told state-run DZRB.
In 2011, she said there was a similar exchange of fires in the Korean peninsula.
鈥淣a-activate naman po natin agad 鈥榶ung ating evacuation protocols for our OFWs. Thankfully at that time, it did not need to be executed, it was鈥� It served as practice also on our part. Kumbaga, talagang nakita natin 鈥榶ung weaknesses at nagawan po natin ng paraan at in place na po 鈥榶an. So it is just a matter of activating the protocol,鈥� she explained.
Despite the escalating tensions, Valte said they are also not issuing a travel advisory but the Philippine embassy there is on alert for developments.
鈥淎s the DFA said, we are closely monitoring these developments even as we continue to call for restraint on both sides,鈥� she said.
She also advised the Filipinos in South Korea to follow the reminders of the embassy and coordinate with them.
鈥淪o our first advice to them would be to follow the information that is disseminated to you by the embassy and to strictly adhere to these reminders because these reminders are also for our safety,鈥� Valte said. TVJ
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