DFA ready with contingency plan should tension escalates in Korea

DFA spokesperson Assistant Secretary Charles Jose said he cannot divulge the details of the plan but assured that they are closely monitoring the situation in the Korean peninsula. (Photo: Department of Foreign Affairs Republic of the Philippines/ Facebook)

MANILA—The Philippines has readied a contingency plan for about 55,000 Filipinos in South Korea in case the situation in the Korean peninsula worsens, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said Monday..

DFA spokesperson Assistant Secretary Charles Jose said he cannot divulge the details of the plan but assured that they are closely monitoring the situation in the Korean peninsula.

“The plan could be compromised if details, like assembly area and extraction points, are disclosed prematurely,” he pointed out.

He also said all Philippine embassies, including the one in Seoul, have contingency plans.

North Korea became unstoppable in launching nuclear powered missiles in the past weeks.

After the latest launch of nuclear missile, US President Donald Trump, upon the advise of his National Security Council (NSC), immediately sent a fleet of navy ships commandeered by an aircraft carrier to Korean Peninsula to send a strong message to North Korea President Kim Jong Un.

According to reports, a US carrier group has departed Singapore and is headed to North Korea.

A US official has disclosed that the U.S. Navy strike group will be moving toward the western Pacific Ocean near the Korean peninsula.

The strike group, called Carl Vinson, includes an aircraft carrier and will make its way from Singapore toward the Korean peninsula.