Crisis alert level ‘zero’ for all GCC nations, says Philippines

The UAE, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia have been given the “none” classification in the most recent “Crisis Alert Levels in the Middle East” of the Philippines’ Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA).

The Philippine News Agency reported on this most recent assessment afternoon of March 6.

It was the second to be released since evening (afternoon in the UAE) of March 2.

In the March 2 announcement, no Gulf country was mentioned.

It was from the 72-hour DFA monitoring through the 12 Philippine diplomatic posts in the Gulf states including Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Iran, Iraq, and Syria; as well as through the two Philippine consular missions in Dubai (UAE) and in Jeddah (Saudi Arabia).

The most recent assessment was released six days after the Feb. 28 joint USA-Israel blitzkrieg against Iran wherein trapped in the crossfire are the UAE, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain and Saudi Arabia which individually successfully countered Iranian missile attacks.

From the UAE, 741 Filipinos, 115 of whom are contractual workers with their families, and 626, either stranded tourists and transiting – returned to Metro Manila via personal or company-paid Emirates Airline tickets – between March 5 and 7.

Concomitantly, amidst unavoidable and unignorable dread and apprehension, there also lies one common denominator among ACE Waste Solutions Sustainability consultant Paul Padilla, musician Lex, Aijem Design Concept Entertainment Services chief executive officer Paz Calaguian-Mejia, housewife-and-mother Maricon Amon-Alcaraz, and Optimal Education Centre office manager Jonas Sergio: their compelling sense of security and safety out of the wise, responsible and calm approach of the UAE leadership and the astute guidance of the One Philippines Team on the tension which had entered the second week on Saturday.

From Sharjah, Padilla said, “The country’s security systems and preparedness are top-notch. The absence of the crisis alert levels reinforces confidence. With faith and vigilance, we remain hopeful that peace and security will prevail, trusting that we will continue to be protected and that God is with us through all circumstances.”

Abu Dhabi resident Lex and his family have “ready-to-go bags,” amidst the “more unsettling” than the Novel Coronavirus, the “sleepless nights and the quiet anxiety throughout the day. Still, we take comfort in the strength and preparedness of the UAE and its defences which help ease our worries. We continue hoping and praying that this conflict will end soon.”

Amon-Alcaraz’s family is witness to sporadic “billowing smokes, thunder-like and whistling sounds” and on-time mobile phone alerts in Fujairah: “I thank God that our family is still able to fully home-school and do mundane tasks such as buying groceries, cleaning the aquarium, and watering our plants. We are grateful to live in a country like the UAE, whose leaders and authorities have the welfare of the people, Emiratis and expats, alike. We feel safe and secure, upheld by the Lord. There is nothing to fear.”

Calaguian-Mejia, 23 years in Dubai, “chooses to stay” compared to her friends and acquaintances, who had expressed over various chat groups their desire to depart, even by land. She has seen among Filipinos, “the trust in the government’s ability to handle the situation responsibly. We do not know what awaits us. We continue to place our trust in the systems that have kept this country safe and stable for many years.”

Sergio considers himself “fortunate” for being on remote work that “provides some comfort and safety” in Dubai, albeit the surge of ambivalence once outside.

He underscored the “extreme importance” of mental health, as “inaccurate, exaggerated and even oddly humorous stories” inundate the social media: “Daily life is largely continuing as normal. Many are carrying on with our routines as best as we can.”

On the Alert Levels, Level 4 are Gaza, Syria and Yemen (Mandatory Evacuation). Level 3 are Iraq and Lebanon (Voluntary Repatriation). Level 2 are Iran, Israel and the Kurdistan in Northern Iraq (Restriction Phase).

Level 1 is Jordan (pro-activeness on precautions and non-essential movement).

Mariecar Jara-Puyod, Senior Reporter