In the light of bomb explosion incidents that were reported in Bahrain last November 5, the Philippine Embassy there advised Filipinos to exercise caution, remain alert and avoid going out.

The bomb explosions in two separate areas happened in the Qudaibiya and Adliya districts of Manama between 4:30 and 9:30 a.m. The Bahrain police reported that the bombers used homemade bombs. No Filipino was hurt but the unfortunate incident claimed the lives of two Asian street cleaners.

The Philippine Embassy continues to monitor the security and political situation in the said country so they can provide sound advice and updates for Filipinos there.

After reports of violent protests and demonstrations in Bahrain, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) is hoping that the security situation will improve soon. The government agency is closely monitoring the situation and hoping that things would return to normal quickly.

The Secretary of DFA, Albert del Rosario said, “We’re also keeping a close watch there and hopefully the situation will improve and can be restored to normalcy.”

The clashes recently claimed the life of a teenager fromBahrainwho was hit in the head by a tear gas canister.Australia and Britain already issued an advisory for their nationals in Bahrain to avoid public places and exercise caution.

However, Roberto Carrillo, a Filipino writer for the Bahrain Daily Tribune, said that Filipinos in Bahrain are not so worried about the security situation there.

Carrillo said, “Hindi naman nababahala ang mga Filipino kasi for one thing the Philippine Embassy is very active na mag-inform sa mga Pilipino kung saan ang mangyayaring riot, kaguluhan, mga rally, ganyan. So, for us, parang normal na siya. Nasanay na kami kung ano ang mangyayari.

The Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) announced on its official website that the processing and deployment of Filipino workers bound to Bahrain is now allowed.

This is due to the announcement from the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) that the security classification in Bahrain was reduced from alert level 2 to alert level 1.

The Philippine government decided to once again suspend the processing and deployment of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in Bahrain because of the current political conflict and unrest.

The secretary of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), Rosalinda Baldoz releases a memorandum that is asking the administrator of the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA), Carlos Cao Jr. to “immediately effect the deferment in the processing and deployment of all newly hired workers to Bahrain.”

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According to the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA), the political tension in Bahrain had stabilized so it is a safe employment destination for OFWs.

This is good news as there are many opportunities for OFWs in Bahrain. According to POEA, there are about 1,000 available job openings for OFWs there. While the deployment of OFWs in Bahrain is now allowed, the ban in Yemen and Libya is still in effect.