Yemen still under alert level 2, says DFA

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MANILA –- The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on Monday reminded Filipinos that only those with existing work contracts in Yemen will be allowed to go back there as the Middle East state remains under the Philippine government’s alert level 2 warning.

Under Alert Level 2 or restriction phase, only Filipinos with existing labor contracts may return to Yemen, the DFA said in a statement.

“The deployment of newly-hired overseas Filipino workers remains suspended,” it said.

Manila has banned travel and labor deployment to Yemen in December 2013 after seven Filipinos were killed in deadly attacks in the country’s Defense Ministry complex by Al-Qaeda-linked terrorists.

The Philippine Embassy in Riyadh stressed that Yemen remains under Alert Level 2 “in view of the current political and security situation in that country.”

The Philippine has no diplomatic presence in Yemen but its embassy in Saudi Arabia has jurisdiction over the country.

“All Filipinos in Yemen are therefore advised to restrict non-essential movements and avoid public places.”

Due to the volatile security situation in Yemen, Filipinos there are advised to update their registration with the embassy or contact the office of the Philippine Honorary Consul in Sana’a.

“The Philippine Embassy in Riyadh continues to monitor the situation in Yemen and will provide further advisories to the Filipino community as may be necessary,” the DFA said.