Pinoys in Bangladesh ‘safe and sound’ amid civil unrest -DMW

The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) on Saturday said Filipinos in  Bangladesh were safe amid the ongoing civil unrest in the South  Asian country.

“So far, safe and sound mga around 700  Filipinos. Some of them are in the hotel sector. They are safe and sound at this stage, and we hope it stays that way,” Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Cacdac said at the Saturday News Forum.

The  Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) placed Bangladesh under Crisis  Alert Level 1 (Precautionary Phase) following the recent political demonstrations and civil unrest, noting that the security situation can deteriorate without warning.

Cacdac said that the DMW was in close contact with the Philippine Embassy in Bangladesh.

“Next stage is now getting the pulse of the Filipino community in Bangladesh, in Dhaka, and finding out whether there is a wish for them or some of them to come home, and that can be arranged definitely in partnership with the DFA,” he said.

The Migrant Workers Secretary said no Filipino has, so far, wanted to be repatriated.

“[But] that will unfold in the coming days,” he said.

“The first order of priority is to ensure their safety and well-being. We are to check-mark them.” — DVM, GMA Integrated News