DFA says Philippine government does not consider mandatory repatriation for Saudi OFWs
The Department of Foreign Affairs said Friday (Aug. 19) that families of Overseas of Filipino Workers in the province of Najran in Saudi Arabia need not worry about the situation of their relatives despite the bombing on Thursday.
The vicious attack, which recently targeted Najran region in Saudi Arabia on Thursday, featured a missile deployed from Yemeni lands, and had resulted in the death of seven civilians and several injuries.
Philippine officials said there were no Filipino casualties and they are safe.
In connection to this, the government has no plans for the forced repatriation of Filipino migrant workers in Najran and neighboring areas on the border between Saudi Arabia and Yemen.
Foreign Affairs Undersecretary on migrant workers affairs Jesus Yabes said what they have done so far is ensuring the Philippine government is ready to quickly bring out any OFW who may wish to come home.
The situation, he explained, is akin to Syria, where OFWs have stayed put despite the five-year civil war, while government makes sure those needing repatriation can be assisted.
Yabes recently visited Najran and appealed to OFWs there to move out if they are close to the bombings or could be exposed to danger.
He set one condition for them, though: Filipinos who choose repatriation will not be allowed to return to Najran.
Yabes gave assurances the government has a contingency plan in place should the situation worsen in the area.
More than 2,000 Filipinos are in Najran, many of them medical staff in the military hospital, but most refuse to leave, many because their salary and benefits package is good and they see little alternatives should they go.
Although no Filipinos were hurt in Najrnn, Consul General Imelda Panolong called on the Filipinos in nearby areas to take extra precautions and limit their movement to between their work sites and homes.
She also advised them to avoid going near military camps and big gatherings in public places and asked OFWs who may be affected in any way to immediately notify the community and the consulate of their situation.
The State of Qatar slammed the continuous violations imposed on the kingdom’s borders and territory. All attacks are deemed to subvert Saudi security and terrorize the innocent, Qatar’s Foreign Ministry said in a statement.