01 June 2015 - The Philippine Embassy in Baghdad reiterated its call for Filipinos to leave Baghdad after 10 people were killed and almost 30 others were wounded in car bomb explosions that targeted two prominent hotels in the Iraqi capital, including one that employs a number of Filipinos.
The Philippine Embassy said there were no reported Filipino casualties in the coordinated car bomb attacks that took place shortly before midnight on Friday.
“We urge our kababayans to seriously consider leaving for the Philippines in view of the latest wave of violence in Baghdad,” according to Philippine Minister Elmer G. Cato, the current Chargé d’Affaires of the Philippine Embassy in Baghdad.
As many as 21 Filipinos were working in one of the two hotels that was targeted. “None of them were hurt but they were all shaken by the incident as it was a very close call for them,” said Cato, who himself was in the same hotel at the time of the attack.
Six people were killed and several wounded in the first explosion that rocked the Babylon Warwick Hotel at Jadriyah District, which is within walking distance from the Philippine Embassy. The explosion near the VIP entrance triggered a fire, damaged several parked vehicles and shattered the hotel’s glass windows up to the 15th floor.
This was followed minutes later by another explosion at the Cristal Grand Ishtar in Karrada District that killed another four and wounded several more. Both hotels, which overlook the Tigris River, are frequented by foreigners, government officials and wealthy Iraqis.
“While we would like to underscore that the Mandatory Repatriation Program for Iraq, except Kurdistan, under Alert Level IV is still ongoing, only Filipinos who expressed their desire to participate will be assisted in going back to the Philippines,” said Cato.
The Embassy, at the same time, encouraged Filipinos in Baghdad and other parts of Iraq, to register so they can get important information and updates during emergencies. “We are encouraging our kababayans in Iraq to register and update their contact details with the Embassy,” said Cato. “This is especially important given the fluid security environment in Iraq.”
“We also urge families of Iraq-based overseas Filipino workers to convince their loved ones to register with the Embassy. This will also help us monitor their condition with their employers,” he added.
Filipinos in Iraq can register with the Embassy through the OFW Online Registration System: https://philembassybaghdad.wordpress.com/services-and-fees/ofw-online-registration-system/ and follow the registration steps.
They can also visit or call the Philippine Embassy to register their contact details. The Embassy is located at House No. 4 Zukak No. 22, Mahalat 915 Hay Al-Jamia, Al-Jadriyah, Baghdad and can be contacted through these numbers: (+964) 781 704 6564, (+964) 771 470 9842, (+964) 770 646 4769, and (+964) 782 881 1037. END