DFA Orders All Posts to Review, Update Contingency Plans

15 August 2017 - The Department of Foreign Affairs has given instructions to all embassies abroad, particularly those in or near conflict areas, to make sure their contingency plans are up to date to ensure that these could lead Filipinos out of harm's way.

In a statement, the DFA said Foreign Affairs Secretary Alan Peter S. Cayetano has given instructions for all Philippine embassies and consulates general to review their contingency plans and make sure these are current.

The Secretary issued the order after the Philippine Consulate General in Agana raised Alert Level I in Guam following threats from the People's Democratic Republic of Korea to launch a nuclear missile strike against the American trust territory.

"Our people all over the world are counting on us to lead them to safety in case worse comes to worst," Secretary Cayetano said. "It is thus important to make sure that all our contingency plans are regularly reviewed and updated."

"In addition to the Korean Peninsula, there are tensions in other parts of the world, including in the Middle East, that could affect our nationals," Secretary Cayetano said.

"We should make sure that we are always ready to respond quickly and effectively," he said.

There are an estimated 10 million Filipinos around the world, including 2 million in the Middle East as well as 65,000 in South Korea and 42,835 in Guam. END