Tag: Department of Foreign Affairs

2 more Pinoys die of MERS-CoV in Saudi Arabia – DFA

MANILA, Philippines (PNA)– Two more Filipino workers based in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia died of the Middle East Respiratory Coronavirus (MERS-CoV) this month, the Department of Foreign Affairs announced on Thursday. DFA Spokesman Charles Jose said the first death was reported on May 12, the other on May 18, bringing to five the total number of Filipinos who have died from the disease. Jose did not disclose the nature of the fatalities’ work or their gender. […]

DFA raises alert level 2 in Thailand, advises Filipinos not to join protests

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Foreign Affairs has raised the Alert Level for Thailand from 1 or “Precautionary Phase” to 2 or “restriction phase” in view of recent political developments in that country. Alert Level 2 is issued when there are real threats to the life, security, and property of Filipinos arising from internal disturbance in or external threat to the host country. Under Alert Level 2, Filipinos in Thailand are instructed to restrict non-essential […]

Philippines grants visa-free privilege to 7 more countries

MANILA (PNA) — The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) announced that effective Tuesday (April 15), nationals of seven additional countries will now enjoy visa-free privilege to enter the Philippines for a period of 30 days. These countries are Belize, Croatia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan. The privilege aims to promote tourism and investments from these countries, all of which have been emerging as key players in the international economic community and which have growing […]

AFP refers Panatag Shoal Incident to the DFA

The Armed Forces of the Philippines is leaving it up to the Department of Foreign Affairs to handle the recent Panatag shoal incident where Chinese Coast Guards reportedly fired water canons at Filipino fishermen to drive them away from the disputed shoal last January 27. According to AFP Chief of Staff Gen. Emmanuel Bautista, they are avoiding a military confrontation between the two countries.  He added that the government prefers to resort to international arbitration […]