MANILA — The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) on Monday urged Filipinos in Syria to avoid conflict-ridden areas due to potential risks of harm.
On Sunday, Syrian rebels swept into Damascus declaring they had toppled "tyrant" President Bashar al-Assad, whose whereabouts were unknown after he reportedly fled the country.
Nations urge stability as Syrian rebels oust Assad
Speaking on TeleRadyo Serbisyo, DMW Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac urged Filipinos to take necessary precautions and keep in touch with the Philippine Embassy in Damascus amid the heightened conflict.
He said the DMW was coordinating with the Department of Foreign Affairs to assist Filipinos in Syria, whose exact number remained "uncertain" due to a total deployment ban imposed by the Philippines 15 years ago due to the conflict.
What we know about the fall of Syria's Bashar al-Assad
Some Filipinos in Syria are likely married to Syrian nationals, and some may be employed as domestic workers who could have skirted the deployment ban, Cacdac said.
"Filipinas who are married to Syrian ay tutulungan pa rin naman lalo na kung may mga bata," he said.
SOUTH KOREA
Meanwhile, Cacdac reiterated the Philippine Embassy's call for Filipinos in South Korea to refrain from joining political protests.
The country faced political turmoil after President Yoon Suk Yeol declared a short-lived martial law last week.
South Korean opposition plans new impeachment push
Under South Korea's laws, foreigners are prohibited from joining political demonstrations, Cacdac warned.
He said there were around 35,000 Filipino workers in South Korea.
—with a report from Agence France-Presse