Philippines to repatriate Filipinos in Afghanistan

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine government is closely monitoring the situation in Afghanistan, as more cities fall under Taliban control ahead of the United States military pullout next month.

The Philippine embassy in Pakistan, which exercises jurisdiction over Afghanistan, has reached out to Filipinos still in the conflict-stricken nation to ascertain their security situation and to advise them on the proper course of action.

In a statement, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said the embassy has gathered some 75 individuals for repatriation, with more expected to join the list in the coming days.

The embassy estimates that around 200 Filipinos remain in Afghanistan, down from 2,500 in 2015 following the deployment ban imposed by the Philippine government.

“The embassy understands the reservations of many Filipinos in Afghanistan over returning to the Philippines due to likely concern over their Overseas Employment Certificate,” the embassy statement released by the DFA said.

“The embassy stresses that preserving the life and security of Filipinos in Afghanistan is its primal duty and strongly reiterates its long persistent call to all Filipinos to leave before the situation further deteriorates,” it added.

Filipinos in Afghanistan who require assistance for repatriation were advised to reach the Philippine embassy in Pakistan through its Facebook page, e-mail: isbpeatn@gmail.com, and WhatsApp or Viber at +92 33-3524-4762.