The Qatari government barred its citizens and residents from leaving the country and halted the holidays of public sector workers, including expats.
The restrictions were meant to keep Qatari staffs on hand and to continue essential government services as Qatar’s leaders make plans to resolve the diplomatic crisis with Bahrain, Egypt, Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates, media reports showed.
Doha alone is home to some 220,000 Filipino workers (OFWs), according to the Qatar Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Though Malacanang Palace said the Duterte administration was concerned about the possible “ripple effects” of the Arab-Qatar rift on its workers abroad, Ernesto Abella said, “Concerned government agencies are looking at the matter and will extend assistance and other support for OFWs who may be affected by such action.”
Meanwhile, the Philippine embassy in Doha earlier advised OFWs to remain calm after seven countries have severed ties and closed their borders with the kingdom.
Philippine Ambassador to Qatar Alan Timbayan, in an advisory, said Filipinos in Qatar should “exercise prudence as we all closely monitor the situation”—the biggest diplomatic crisis to hit the region in years.
Timbayan said travelers should also consult their travel agents and make necessary arrangements after Etihad Airways, Emirates Airlines, and other regional carriers suspended flights to and from the kingdom.
Meanwhile, the said four countries gave Qatar until Wednesday, July 5, 2017, to respond to their demands to restore diplomatic relations and economic links.
Among the demands of Bahrain, Saudi Arabia and the UAE are for Doha to stop supporting the Muslim Brotherhood, shut down its broadcasting station Al Jazeera, downgrade diplomatic ties with Iran, and close a Turkish military base.
credit: Wikimedia
