Philippine embassies ordered to update contingency plans
This July 4, 2017, file photo, distributed by the North Korean government shows what was said to be the launch of a Hwasong-14 intercontinental ballistic missile in North Korea. Hawaii is the first state to prepare the public for the possibility of a ballistic missile threat from North Korea. North Korea’s announcement that it is finalizing a plan to launch four ballistic missiles over Japan toward the island of Guam has touched off a series of fiery threats from President Donald Trump and upped tensions between Pyongyang and Washington to a whole new level. Korean Central News Agency/Korea News Service via AP, File
MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Foreign Affairs has ordered all embassies abroad to review and update their contingency plans following threats from North Korea to launch missiles towards Guam.
Foreign Affairs Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano gave instructions to all Philippine embassies and consulates general to make sure that their contingency plans are current to ensure the safety of Filipinos, particularly in or near conflict areas.
The order came after the Philippine Consulate General in Agana raised Alert Level 1 in Guam following threats of a nuclear missile attack from North Korea.
READ: Philippines hoists Alert Level 1 over Guam, surrounding areas
"Our people all over the world are counting on us to lead them to safety in case worse comes to worst. It is thus important to make sure that all our contingency plans are regularly reviewed and updated," Cayetano said in a statement.
The Philippines' top diplomat added that tensions in other parts of the world, including the Middle East, could also affect Filipinos.
"We should make sure that we are always ready to respond quickly and effectively," the secretary said.
An estimated 10 million Filipinos are around the world, including 2 million in the Middle East, 65,000 in South Korea and 42,835 in Guam, according to the DFA.
Meanwhile, Guam officials are taking the latest missive from Pyongyang as a sign that the rhetoric is calming down.
North Korea's state news agency KCNA reported earlier in the day that leader Kim Jong Un had examined plans for a launch. It quoted Kim as saying he would watch what he called the "foolish and stupid conduct of the Yankees" a little more before deciding whether to order a test.
South Korean President Moon Jae-in says North Korea could create conditions for dialogue by stopping additional nuclear and missile tests.
Moon, in a speech Tuesday, also said resolving the North Korean threat could begin with freezing its nuclear weapons program. — Patricia Lourdes Viray with Associated Press
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