DFA Announces Travel Exemptions for Returning OFWs to Libya

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), in consultation with the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA), and the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) approved travel exemptions for some overseas Filipino workers  (OFWs) who have existing  and valid contracts with their employers in Libya. Overseas Filipino workers falling under the following categories are allowed to return to Libya:

• Household service staff employed by diplomats in foreign embassies
• Those employed by the United Nations and other international organizations in Libya
• OFWs working off-shore in oil rig platforms, provided that they will not pass through mainland Libya nor spend their vacation there
• Those working for multinational companies, government hospitals and schools as well as for the Libyan National Oil Company
• Filipinos who are married to Libyan nationals.

These OFWs will also need to secure a letter from their employers guaranteeing their safety, security and repatriation in case the situation in Libya deteriorates and imminent danger to their lives and well-being is present.

DOLE and POEA will announce the implementation date and issue the guidelines to be followed to avail of the exemptions.

The DFA wishes to highlight its unwavering commitment to ensure the welfare and safety of our nationals overseas while at the same time remaining sensitive to their clamor and needs.

Despite these travel exemptions, Crisis Alert Level 3 remains in effect. The DFA reiterates its advice to Filipino nationals in Libya to avail themselves of the voluntary repatriation program of the Philippine Government

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Posted in: Department of Foreign Affairs , Immigration News , Libya , travel news

DFA Raises Alert Level for Bangkok

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) raised yesterday the alert level for Bangkok and neighboring provinces placed under a 60-day state of emergency amid the political unrest there.

From alert level 1 or precautionary phase, the DFA raised it to 2 or restriction phase.

This means Filipinos in Thailand should restrict non-essential movement, avoid public places and prepare for evacuation.

Alert level 2 is issued when there are real threats to the life, security and property of Filipinos arising from internal disturbance or external threat.

The DFA said the situation remains fluid and volatile in Bangkok, particularly in anti-government protest areas, in spite of efforts to maintain a state of normalcy.

The Philippine embassy in Bangkok had advised Filipinos with essential travel plans and those residing in Bangkok and other parts of Thailand to avoid rally sites and large gatherings and refrain from taking part in the protest or other political activities.

Filipinos are also advised to exercise extreme caution and vigilance and monitor developments.

The embassy said it is ready to extend assistance to all Filipinos in Thailand.

Filipinos were also cautioned by the embassy against wearing red or yellow shirts lest they be mistaken for government or anti-government parties.

“Participating and/or showing support in any form to any of the parties is strongly discouraged. For information, the red and yellow colors are closely identified with some of the parties involved,” the embassy said.

Records at the Commission on Filipinos Overseas showed there are 16,303 permanent, temporary and irregular Filipinos in Thailand as of December 2012.

Meanwhile, Malacañang gave assurance the DFA would investigate alleged abuses by Malaysian authorities against Filipinos working there.

In a press briefing, Presidential Communications Operations Office Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. said justice must be served to those who were beaten up and subjected to other forms of harassment in the crackdown in Malaysia.

He said the Philippines is treating foreigners well and it is expected that Filipinos would enjoy the same treatment elsewhere.

Reports said Malaysian authorities began a crackdown on illegal migrant workers, particularly those from Indonesia, the Philippines, Bangladesh, Myanmar and Thailand.

Malaysian Interior Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi was quoted as saying that those found without valid documents would be deported within seven days.

Coloma said the Philippines and Malaysia have a long history of friendship and cooperation, adding that Malaysian authorities are expected to pay special attention to the plight of Filipino workers.

He said the DFA should also give details of the alleged harassment and abuses reportedly committed against Filipino workers.

In Kota Kinabalu, architect Florito Rosales said he was among 311 Filipino workers rounded up by Malaysian authorities on Jan. 21.

Radio reporter Florante Rosales said his brother told him that Filipinos were thrown in overcrowded jails, beaten and forced to admit they were illegal workers.

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Posted in: Department of Foreign Affairs , Immigration News , philippine immigration , tips , travel news

China and Taiwan Excluded in New Philippine Visa Privilege

When the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) extended the visa-free privilege of foreigners last Monday, Chinese nationals criticized the move for excluding them.

Zhuang Guotu, dean of the Research School of Southeast Asian Studies at Xiamen University claimed that the visa requirement for Chinese is Philippines' way to get even on the South China Sea territorial row.

"Both the Chinese mainland and Taiwan are embroiled in disputes with the country. Its decision to exclude people from the two regions is a retaliatory move, especially, against Taiwan," Godu told The Global Times on Wednesday.

DFA extended the 21-day visa-free privilege of 151 countries to 30 days--a list which has not included China and Taiwan since 2010. The Philippines is also barring Taiwanese from the privilege as Taiwan already sanctioned a red travel alert against Manila over the May 9 shooting incident of a Taiwanese fisherman off Batanes.

"This is a tit-for-tat response to Taiwan's sanctions and Manila wanted to show they would not give in to pressure," Zhuang said.

However, China mainland residents with Australian, Japanese, Canadian, Schengen or US visas coming to the country for tourism purposes can stay without a visa for seven days. The Global Times reported that Chinese netizens reacted negatively to the latest move by the country, which they say is likening itself to the US."

"This has also angered Chinese social media Net users, with many even calling for a boycott on visiting the Philippines," the article says.

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Posted in: Department of Foreign Affairs , philippine travel , philippine visa , travel news , visa-free privilege

Immigration and Travel Ban to Libya, Yemen and Bahrain

The Bureau of Immigration (BI) on Thursday ordered its personnel at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport and other airports to strictly enforce a ban on the departure of overseas Filipino workers for Libya, Yemen and Bahrain, which are experiencing civil unrest.

MANILA, Philippines—The Bureau of Immigration (BI) on Thursday ordered its personnel at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport and other airports to strictly enforce a ban on the departure of overseas Filipino workers for Libya, Yemen and Bahrain, which are experiencing civil unrest.

Immigration Chief Ronaldo Ledesma said the Immigration was on the lookout for travelers who might be bound for those countries.

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) earlier issued a travel advisory urging Filipinos to defer non-essential and non-urgent travels to Libya, Yemen and Bahrain until the security situations in those countries have stabilized.

Source: Inquirer

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Posted in: Bahrain , Bureau of Immigration , Department of Foreign Affairs , Immigration Ban , Immigration News , Libya , overseas Filipino workers , Travel Ban , travel news , Yemen