DFA tells Pinoys in New Caledonia to stay vigilant

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) has raised Crisis Alert Level 2 for some 200 Filipinos living in France’s Pacific territory of New Caledonia amid the ongoing unrest over proposed changes in voting regulations. “Filipinos living in New Caledonia are advised to remain vigilant, avoid public places and restrict nonessential movement,” the DFA said in an advisory on Thursday. It also instructed the around 200 Filipinos there to “monitor and follow guidelines set by local authorities.” France President Emmanuel Macron placed New Caledonia under a state of emergency on May 16 after two weeks of deadly rioting as the indigenous Kanak population protested planned election voting changes for French residents in the territory. Crisis Alert Level 2 is raised if there are real threats to the life, security and property of Filipinos abroad due to internal disturbance, instability or external threat. —DONA Z. PAZZIBUGAN