NEWLY designated Ambassador to Pakistan Daniel Ramos Espiritu met recently with Filipinos in Afghanistan to prepare measures, as the security situation in the capital “is deteriorating fast.”
Roberto Tabaloc, chairman of a group of Filipinos, said attacks by the Talibans in Kabul has been increasing and has made them and Espiritu worried.
Espiritu is presently the Philippine ambassador to Pakistan with concurrent jurisdiction over the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan.
According to Tabaloc, Espiritu visited Kabul recently to present his credentials to Afghanistan President Asraf Ghani and to discuss a number of issues regarding the security of Filipinos in that country. Espiritu also discussed concerns regarding passports.
Espiritu was quoted to have said that, while security in Afghanistan is a concern, there is no adequate reason at the moment for the total evacuation of Filipinos from Kabul. Likewise, he was quoted to have said that total ban in travel to the Afghan capital is not in his mind.
Tabaloc, however, said his group agreed for mutual cooperation in preparing the contingency plan and assistance for the protection all Filipinos in Afghanistan.
“We will support the present ban exemption. However, there is a need for a contingency plan to strengthen the organization,” he said.
Espiritu noted that many Filipinos already have proper protection coverage from their respective companies. He was said to have reiterated the importance to reach out to all Filipinos in Afghanistan.
Espiritu added that communication is needed to ensure the protection for everyone, especially those who are working for private companies that are outside the control of international agencies. These agencies have the capability to relocate or expatriate Filipinos.
Tabaloc said he was assured by Espiritu of “full support.” Espiritu also encouraged individuals to form groups in each company or area, according to Tabaloc.
He added that Espiritu expressed plans to train their members in the processing of passport extension and other consular assistance within the framework of the embassy guidelines.
At present there are about 300 Filipinos working in safe zones and about a thousand inside US and Nato bases in Afghanistan.