21 October 2016 — In line with its consular mandate, the Philippine Embassy in Dili convened a follow-up security briefing for the leaders and sectoral representatives of the Filipino community in Timor-Leste last October 18.

Defense and Armed Forces Attaché Col. Emilio T. Hulipas gave an overview of the current security situation in Timor-Leste in the lead up to the Timorese suco (village) elections on October 29.

Meanwhile, Second Secretary and Consul Maurice A. Tiempo shared the salient details of the Embassy’s contingency plan.

In her opening remarks, Philippine Ambassador to Timor-Leste Evelyn D. Austria-Garcia stressed the importance of emergency preparedness during times of crisis.

“While Timor-Leste remains generally peaceful and stable, it is better to be prepared in the event that unfortunate developments occur in the country,” Ambassador Austria-Garcia said.

The briefing is part of a series of awareness-raising activities that the Embassy is organizing for the Filipino community in Timor-Leste. On August 25, the Embassy requested the United Nations Department of Safety and Security (UNDSS) in Timor-Leste to speak on the current security environment in the country. END