South Asia News

Philippines monitors condition of Filipino workers in Pakistan

Nov 5, 2007, 2:36 GMT

Manila - Philippine President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo on Monday ordered the close monitoring of the conditions of thousands of Filipinos in Pakistan after the declaration of a state of emergency there.

Arroyo directed the Department of Foreign Affairs to take immediate steps and establish communication hotlines with about 3,000 Filipinos in Pakistan, presidential spokesman Ignacio Bunye said.

'The embassy has been instructed to take immediate steps, including the establishment of communication hotlines with Filipino communities there, and to assess and recommend further measures that may be taken to ensure their safety,' Bunye said.

Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf declared emergency rule and suspended the constitution on Saturday in an apparent bid to save himself from expected disqualification from a further term in office.

Pakistani opposition parties claimed hundreds of their workers had been detained by government troops to prevent protests against the martial law.