OFWs ready to evacuate Georgia if war worsens - envoy

MANILA, Philippines — Filipino workers in the eastern European republic of Georgia have mobilized themselves for possible evacuation should the fighting in South Ossestia escalate, the top Philippine diplomat in the area said on Saturday.

In an interview with a Manila radio station from his post in Ankara, Turkey, Ambassador Bahnarim A. Guinomla said the Filipino workers in Georgia, numbering about 60, have organized themselves into three groups for the purpose of coordinating with the Philippine mission.

“Right now, our workers and other Filipino nationals are in no danger from the fighting in South Ossetia. But should there be a need for them to evacuate, we will ask the Ministry of Foreign Affairs here in Ankara to allow them to cross into the Turkish border," he said.

Guinomla’s main assignment is Turkey. Neighboring Georgia and Azerbaijan are his secondary posts.

He said one of the groups of Filipinos are working at a Georgian port in the Black Sea, which is far from South Ossetia, scene of fighting between rebels and Georgian forces. He said the others are in Tbilisi, capital of Georgia, which is not far from the Turkish border.

Danger warnings have been raised among expatriate workers on Friday when Russia sent troops into South Ossetia after Georgian forces entered the rebel enclave. Russia has been supporting South Ossetia's and Abkhazia’s attempt to break away from Georgia.

On Saturday, US President George Bush and leaders of Western nations, joined by NATO, condemned the violence and demanded a cease-fire.

While fighting between Georgian troops and rebels are confined to South Ossetia, Russian air strikes on Georgia were said to pose danger to foreign nationals. - GMANews.TV

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