DFA lowers alert level in Iraq over improved security situations

By ANNA FELICIA BAJO, GMA News The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on Tuesday said it has lowered the alert level for Iraq from Alert Level 4 to Alert Level 3 due to the improving security situations in the country. Alert Level 4 means mandatory repatriation while Alert Level 3 means voluntary repatriation. In its advisory dated November 2, the DFA said the alert level was lowered due to some improvements in the security situation in the country and as requested by the overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in Iraq. "Following this development and upon the recommendation of the DFA, the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) Governing Board has issued Governing Board Resolution (GBR) No. 9 series of 2021, exempting returning OFWs to Iraq from the deployment ban, subject to specific conditions listed in the said resolution," the DFA said. It also advised Filipinos in the country to still exercise caution, to restrict movements only to those which are necessary, and to keep their communication lines open with the Philippine Embassy in Baghdad, which may be reached through +9647506561740, +9647516167838, and +9647508105240, or baghdad.pe@dfa.gov.ph. Alert Level 4 was enforced by Manila after Iran fired rockets at Iraq's al Asad airbase, which hosts forces from the United States. Iran supposedly retaliated against the US for killing its top commander, Qassim Suleimani, in an attack authorized by former President Donald Trump. At least 1,600 Filipinos are in Iraq. Majority are working in the Kurdistan region and the rest are in the Baghdad area. — RSJ, GMA News

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