The Philippine Online Chronicles

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) wants to start bringing Filipinos out of South Sudan in northeastern Africa after ethnic conflict in the country's Jonglei state resulted in at least 24 people dead and thousands displaced.

“This early, we would like to get the people out of harm's way. We don't want to wait until it’s difficult for them to leave, especially because we don't have a full consulate or an embassy in that area,” said DFA spokesperson Assistant Secretary Raul Hernandez.

“The Filipinos are in the capital of South Sudan, Juba, and most of them are in that area,” he added. “And the security situation in that country is deteriorating.”

The Philippine Embassy in Cairo and Honorary Consul in Khartoum is currently monitoring the situation.

On Tuesday, the DFA raised crisis alert level 3 in South Sudan, calling for the voluntary repatriation of Filipino citizens there. The government will shoulder the costs of repatriation.

A deployment ban was also enacted, as well as a travel warning against visiting the country at this time.

“We are ready to move our people out should they wish to leave,” noted Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario.