Government prepared for evacuation of Filipinos in Iran

MANILA, Philippines – Vice President Jejomar Binay has announced that contingency plans are now in place for the evacuation of Filipinos from Iran in case that country’s nuclear plants are attacked.

The presidential adviser on OFW concerns said charge d’affaires Mariano Dumia of the Philippine embassy in Tehran has briefed him on the contingency plan.

“Before meeting with the Filipino-Iranian community at the embassy, I was given a full briefing by Mr. Dumia on the contingency plan that has been put in place in case the well-publicized threat to attack the nuclear plants of Iran comes to pass,” he said.

“The embassy is hoping the plan will never have to be implemented, but in case it becomes necessary, the embassy is prepared to carry it out to protect the security and safety of the more than 3,640 Filipinos in Iran.”

Last Saturday, Binay arrived from the 6th Non-Aligned Movement Summit in Tehran.

Binay said he could not discuss the details of the plan, but expressed confidence that it would work.

“Despite the small skeleton force at the Philippine embassy in Tehran, we have in Mr. Dumia and his colleagues a dedicated staff who will do everything to serve their country and countrymen at a time of need,” he said.

Binay said he was able to have “substantive talks” with Iranian Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi during the first day of the three-day conference.