26 January 2005 – The Philippine Embassy in Kuwait today reported to Secretary of Foreign Affairs Alberto G. Romulo that Ambassador Roy A. Cimatu, Chairman of the Presidential Middle East Preparedness Committee (PMEPC), briefed the Filipino community in Kuwait on the observance of security measures for OFWs in Iraq, dubbed OPLAN SALAKOT.  Officials of the Philippine Embassy in Kuwait led by Chargé d’Affaires (CDA) Ali Matar M. Garangan were also present during the meeting, which was held on the evening of 21 January.

At the briefing, Ambassador Cimatu urged Filipinos in Kuwait not to enter Iraq until the OFW deployment ban is lifted.  He reiterated this call to all Filipinos based in countries surrounding Iraq.  Ambassador Cimatu also informed the Filipinos that the Philippine government would be conducting an evaluation of the security situation in Iraq after the conduct of its elections on 30 January 2005.

Ambassador Cimatu also informed the Filipino community leaders present at the briefing that the Philippine Embassy in Kuwait would have a role to play in OPLAN SALAKOT.  CDA Garangan assured Ambassador Cimatu that the Embassy will extend all possible assistance to Filipinos coming from Iraq who will transit through Kuwait should they desire to be repatriated.

The PMEPC has been meeting with Philippine Embassies in the countries surrounding Iraq to monitor the implementation of the OFW deployment ban and discuss their role in assisting Filipinos from Iraq who would be repatriated through their respective jurisdictions.

Ambassador Cimatu however stressed that, although there is a security threat in Iraq, there is no drastic need to evacuate the 6,000 or so OFWs currently working in various locations within the country.  According to Ambassador Cimatu, “at this time, evacuation is farfetched and not imminent.”

The PMEPC Chair also called on all Filipinos to be always vigilant and react quickly to any contingency measures that need to be put into action should there be an imminent threat to their lives (for background please refer to Ambassador Cimatu’s statement issued as official DFA press release on 24 January 2005).  END
 

/jay