PHL enforces mandatory repatriation of Filipinos in strife-torn Yemen

MANILA — The Philippine government on Thursday said it will enforce the mandatory evacuation of some 700 Filipino workers in Yemen due to heightened political tensions in the troubled Middle East state.

Yemen was placed under Alert Level 4 by the Department of Foreign Affairs due to the continued occupation of the capital city Sana’a by Houthi rebels, as well as the recent suspension of operations of numerous embassies in the capital.

The DFA also cited the collapse of United Nations-brokered negotiations after two parties walked out in protest of the Houthis.

“Alert level 4 is raised where there is large-scale internal conflict of full-blown external attack.

Under this alert level, the Philippine government undertakes mandatory evacuation procedures,” the DFA said in a statement.

Manila has no diplomatic post in Yemen, but a Crisis Management Team deployed by the Philippine Embassy in Saudi Arabia is currently on the ground in Sana’a and stands ready to assist Filipinos who wish to be repatriated home to the Philippines, the DFA said.