Pinoys in Belgium told to keep calm, avoid public places

MANILA, Philippines – The Philippine Embassy in Brussels has asked Filipinos based in Belgium to avoid public places and to be extra careful after attacks in the Belgian capital on Tuesday.

Philippine Ambassador Victoria Bataclan  told Filipinos to avoid crowded public places like malls and recreation centers that could be targets of terror attacks after at least 34 people were killed and more than 190 were injured in two explosions at the Brussels airport and another at a metro station in the city on Tuesday.  Terrorist group Islamic State has claimed responsibility for the attacks.

“Stay where you are if you do not necessarily need to travel to and from Belgium, and spread caution around,” Bataclan said in a statement posted on her Facebook account.

Bataclan also encouraged Filipinos in Belgium to keep monitoring advisories from local authorities. She advised Filipinos there to be extra vigilant and cautious after Belgium raised its alert level to 4, the highest in that country.

She extended condolences to the victims and families on behalf of the Philippine government and asked the Filipino community there to remain calm.

The embassy is still verifying whether any Filipinos were affected by the terror attacks.

Filipinos and families affected by the incidents are advised to contact the embassy through the duty phone number +32 488609177, Ambassador Bataclan’s mobile phone number +32 471309430, landline numbers +32 23403377 or 93, its Facebook page, and email addresses [email protected] and [email protected].