Pinoys in Egypt not in danger - DFA

MANILA, Philippines - Filipinos in Egypt are in no imminent danger but the government is ready to evacuate them if the need arises, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said yesterday.

Ambassador to Cairo Eduardo Pablo Maglaya said the current situation on the ground has not changed.

However, foreigners have not been targeted, he added.

Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Rafael Seguis said the government’s focus is the safety of Filipinos in Egypt.

“The timing of evacuation will depend on the situation unfolding now in Cairo,” he said.

“As of this time there appears no indication of any attempt at foreigners. There is no incident of demonstrators picking at foreigners and tourists in Cairo and elsewhere.”

Seguis said some 6,569 Filipino professionals are in Egypt, mostly in Cairo and Alexandria, and about 1,674 students enrolled in Cairo’s universities.

“So that being the case, it appeared to us that Philippine nationals are not in imminent danger, but of course we’re prepared for the worst scenario and that we’re preparing still for evacuation should the need really arise,” he said.

“We’re closely monitoring the situation in Cairo. We see that President Mubarak is still firmly in power and no government has withdrawn support for the Mubarak regime.

“Everyone is now on wait and see attitude. In our particular case, our focus now is on our nationals.”

Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Esteban Conejos Jr. said plans are being coordinated with Libya, Israel and Jordan in the event of relocation and evacuation of Filipinos in Egypt.

“In addition to preparing the plans, all the necessary contacts with the host government concerned have been made so it’s really just a matter of reiteration,” he said.

“That plan is also being implemented in the sense that all pre-approvals required to implement the plan are also being undertaken.”

Conejos said the DFA has set aside P25 million as standby emergency fund for the Egypt crisis.

The Philippine Overseas Employment Agency and Overseas Workers Welfare Administration also committed additional emergency standby funds, he added.

Enrico Fos, Office of Migrant Workers Affairs special assistant, departed yesterday for Egypt to aid the embassy in the implementation of contingency measures for the Filipino community.

Special Envoy Roy Cimatu will also proceed to Egypt after the conclusion of his mission in another country in the region.

Migrante: Evacuate Filipinos

Migrante International asked the administration yesterday to work for the immediate evacuation of Filipinos in Egypt.

John Leonard Monterona, Migrante–Middle East regional coordinator, said the political situation in Egypt is now escalating as thousands of Egyptians have taken to the streets to demand the ouster of President Hosni Mubarak.

“The disgruntled Egyptian people are so determined to oust a regime that wrought misery unto their lives,” he said.

Monterona said Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Lebanon, and Jordan are now preparing to evacuate their citizens from Egypt. – With Jose Rodel Clapano