DFA LOWERS ALERT IN MYANMAR

THE Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on Saturday announced the lowering of the alert level status imposed on Myanmar, enabling overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) to go back to the country swept by a military coup in February 2021.

“Filipinos working here in Myanmar illegally will finally be able to come home, be officially registered, and come back to work in Myanmar,” DFA Undersecretary Eduardo De Vega told the ANC network.

De Vega said DFA Secretary Enrique Manalo has approved the lowering of the alert status following considerations on stability and the human trafficking situation at Myanmar’s borders.

Filipino workers who have valid working visas for Myanmar may be allowed to return once the alert level is downgraded, De Vega said earlier.

“If it is lowered, we can do balik-manggagawa: those who have valid working visas there can return. They won’t be banned from flying into Myanmar,” he said.

Over 400 Filipinos continue to work in Myanmar even after a military junta deposed an elected civilian government in 2021.