GMANews.TV, News Report, Posted: Jul 27, 2010

Filipinos who were hired by American contractors to work in military installations in war-torn Iraq may go home soon.

This was after the U.S. government ordered all its military contractors to send home foreign workers whose countries have imposed a deployment ban to Iraq.

A July 20, 2010 memorandum issued by Richard E. Nolan, senior contracting officer of CENTCOM Contracting Command in Iraq, said all contractors operating in Iraq have 20 days or until August 9 to move out expatriate workers covered by the travel ban.

Filipinos have been prohibited from working in Iraq since 2004, after a series of suicide bombing attacks and abduction of foreigners, including two Filipinos. The CENTCOM said it is “aware" that the Philippine government prohibits its citizens from traveling to Iraq. Despite the ban, a total of 10,000 to 15,000 Filipinos are believed to be working in Iraq, mostly inside heavily fortified U.S. facilities.
“Of specific interest, individuals from countries that prohibit travel to Iraq -- for example, the Philippines -- currently in Iraq must be identified and plans made by their employer to get them out of Iraq," the memo said.