OFFICIALS say the Philippines has set aside an emergency evacuation fund, identified
possible escape routes for thousands of Filipinos in Egypt and advised its citizens to
defer nonessential travel because of ongoing protests against President Hosni Mubarak’s
government.
The Department of Foreign Affairs said Sunday that a number of senior envoys will fly
to Egypt to help ensure the safety of more than 6,500 Filipinos there, mostly maids and
students.
Foreign affairs spokesman Ed Malaya said officials held an emergency meeting in Manila and
discussed plans for evacuating Filipinos by buses or ships in case the unrest worsens.
Malaya pointed out the DFA has set up a P25-million standby emergency fund in case the
need for evacuation and repatriation should arise.
The Philippine Embassy in Cairo has also set up a 24-hour hotline to accommodate calls
from Filipinos there.
The Philippine government on Sunday issued a travel advisory on Egypt, urging Filipinos to
avoid going to the foreign country due to continuing violent political protests there. (PIA)