DFA reminds OFWs in Afghanistan to stay safe amid violence, attacks
MANILA - The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) advised Filipinos in Afghanistan to exercise extreme caution amid violence and attacks that has left more than 200 dead last month alone.
In a statement, the DFA reminded that a travel and deployment ban to Afghanistan remains in effect. It also strongly advises Filipinos against traveling to the country until further notice.
The Philippine Embassy in Islamabad, which has jurisdiction over Afghanistan, issued the advisory to the 1,500 Filipinos who are working mostly in military bases in Kabul and other locations in Afghanistan after two suicide bomb attacks at a mosque on Friday killed 30 people, including women and children.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with the people of Afghanistan who continue to suffer from the senseless violence being inflicted upon them,” Foreign Affairs Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano said in a statement.
“We ask our kababayan who are still in Afghanistan to exercise extreme caution and to avoid any movement outside of their work places," he added.
According to Cayetano, Filipinos in Afghanistan should consider returning to the country in view of the security situation.
He also said the embassy is ready to repatriate those willing to go home.
Ambasador to Islamabad Daniel Espiritu said that based on the records of the non-government Civilian Protection Advocacy Group in Kabul, the number of civilian casualties in July alone has reached 545, with 232 dead and 313 wounded.
"The international community has already raised its highest travel restrictions in Afghanistan due to the surge in kidnappings, hostage taking, suicide bombings, widespread military combat operations, landmines, and terrorist and insurgent attacks that target not only combatants but also civilians, including foreigners," Espiritu said.
A suicide bomber killed three NATO service members on a foot patrol in eastern Afghanistan on Sunday, officials said, and Taliban militants claimed responsibility.
A NATO Resolute Support mission service member, an American, and two Afghan soldiers were wounded, the mission said in a statement.
"Their sacrifice will endure in both our hearts and history and further strengthen our resolve," said U.S. Army Gen. John Nicholson, commander of Resolute Support and U.S. Forces-Afghanistan, in the statement.
Local officials said the blast happened in the Khalazai area of Charikar, capital of Parwan province.
Wahida Shahkar, spokeswoman for the Parwan provincial governor, said the suicide bomber targeted foreign forces who were on a routine foot patrol.
Eastern Afghanistan, where U.S. Special Forces units have regularly been deployed against militants, continues to be one of the deadliest areas for the U.S. military since its main combat operation against the Taliban ended in 2014.
The Taliban, fighting to restore strict Islamic law after their 2001 ouster, claimed responsibility.
"We have killed eight U.S. invaders in a tactic bombing," Zabihullah Mujahid, the Taliban spokesman, said in statement.
"The invaders had to bring three helicopter ambulances to protect their forces," he said. -- with a report from Reuters
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