Press Release No. 098-03
March 20, 2003
RP
EMBASSY EVACUATED – OPLE
Foreign Affairs Secretary Blas F. Ople yesterday announced that the Philippine
Embassy in Baghdad has been completely evacuated, with Embassy personnel
and their dependents already heading for home via Amman, Jordan.
“Our diplomats and staff in Baghdad have done an excellent job and their
dedication in protecting our Filipinos and preserving our interests has been
outstanding, but it is time for them to head home,” Secretary Ople said.
But he said the Embassy will remain open to serve any remaining Filipinos
in Iraq, including five housewives married to Iraqis or Jordanians, with
ten children, as well as some broadcast journalists covering the events in
Baghdad.
“We intend to provide every protection possible to any remaining Filipinos.
The Embassy will provide them with safe haven. It will remain open
and we will uphold the sanctity of our Embassy, we will insist that all parties
to the hostilities recognize the inviolability of our Embassy. These
are rights recognized under international law even during times of conflict,”
the Secretary added.
“To this end, we have retained the services of our locally-hired personnel,
who have agreed to follow our instructions and to provide remaining Filipinos
with the services and sanctuary that they might require, Secretary Ople said.
“There will be provisions in the Embassy, such as food, water and electricity
which will be made available to Filipino nationals who seek shelter in the
Embassy,” the Secretary said.
The Embassy staff is headed by Grace Escalante, Charge d’Affaires.