The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) said it is closely monitoring developments amid rising tensions between Pakistan and India.
In a statement on Thursday, DMW Secretary Hans Cacdac stressed that while the agency remains alert to developments, there is currently no cause for alarm.
“We don’t want to be so alarmist as to say that OFWs need to go home, but there will always be an OFW presence anywhere in the world,” Cacdac said.
He also noted that there is no Migrant Workers Office established yet in Delhi, India, and Pakistan but assured that the DMW is in coordination with the Department of Foreign Affairs.
Tensions spiked following a terrorist attack on 22 April in Kashmir, India, where around two dozen people were killed after gunmen opened fire on a group of domestic tourists visiting Pahalgam, known as the “Switzerland of India.”
In response, the Philippine Embassy in Pakistan on Wednesday urged Filipinos residing or working in Bhimber City, Azad Kashmir, and the Sialkot Line of Control to exercise extreme caution following the Red Alert declaration of Pakistani authorities.
“Filipinos are urged to: avoid non-essential travel, particularly near border zones; remain indoors and monitor official announcements from local authorities; maintain regular contact with your employers and community coordinators; ensure mobile phones are fully charged and communication lines remain open; and have basic necessities (ID, emergency bag, essential medicines) ready in case of evacuation,” the statement read.