Philippines puts C-130 planes on standby for possible evacuation of OFWs in South Korea

From InterAksyon (Apr 2): Philippines puts C-130 planes on standby for possible evacuation of OFWs in South Korea

The Philippine Air Force has placed on standby two of its C130 planes for the possible evacuation of thousands of Filipinos in South Korea after tensions rose anew between Seoul and Pyongyang.

Air Force Commanding General Lauro Catalino dela Cruz issued a directive to prepare repatriation and evacuation plans of Filipinos "just in case it will be required by the government," said Air Force spokesman Colonel Miguel Ernesto Okol.

He said the Air Force already has an existing plan and "we just finalize details like the air route, ground handling, other support systems plus DFA efforts to secure diplomatic clearance. Then we tailor it to a specific area or country as the need arises."

The Air Force has already implemented such evacuation plans during the crisis in the Middle East, Okol said.

Earlier, Labor Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz said the situation in South Korea for the 42,000

Filipinos living and working there remains calm but urged them to be on alert. The United States also sent its destroyer, the USS Fitzgerald, off South Korea.

http://www.interaksyon.com/article/58475/philippines-puts-c-130-planes-on-standby-for-possible-evacuation-of-ofws-in-south-korea