DFA warns Filipinos in Syria alert level raised to 3

Due to the increasing violence in Syria, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) has raised the alert level in the country to 3, which means all Filipinos working and residing in Syria are urged to voluntarily leave the country.

Although the Philippine government has not heard of any Filipinos harmed in Syria, it would not wait for any untoward incident to happen before a plan is put in place.

DFA Secretary Albert del Rosario said that the Philippine Government will provide for the repatriation cost.

An estimate of 17,000 Filipinos are in Syria and because of the escalating violence in Syria, the Philippine government raised the alert level to 3, effective August 16.

Del Rosario said that he already directed the Philippine Embassy in Damascus to intensify its efforts to reach out to Filipinos and convinced them to leave Syria.

Meanwhile, According to DFA Spokesperson, Raul Hernandez, the alert level 3 has been up in Danaa, Homs and Latakia since March.

Hernandez also said that to those Filipinos who want to be repatriated from Syria, they should contact the embassy in Damascus or communicate with country coordinators.