DFA lowers alert level for Bahrain

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) has lowered the crisis alert level for Bahrain from level 2 to level 1 following the lifting of the state of emergency in the country by the Bahraini government.

The Bahraini Royal Palace announced on May 31 the lifting of the state of emergency and invited opposition groups to join wide-ranging talks on political reform, the DFA said.

In DFA nomenclature, crisis alert level 1 means that close monitoring of the situation in the host country is called for; alert level 2 advises Philippine nationals to avoid public gatherings and mass actions, or to voluntarily relocate or leave the country if they have no pressing need to remain.

But the DFA said only returning Filipino workers are allowed to go back to Bahrain.

“Non-essential and non-urgent travels,” which, according to DFA spokesperson Ed Malaya, referred to tourist visits and visits to relatives, were still not allowed. Tina G. Santos