MANILA, Philippines — "We are ready to move our people out, should they wish to leave.”

With these words from Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on Tuesday raised crisis alert level 3 in South Sudan in light of the deteriorating security situation caused by inter-ethnic violence in the country, as well as for the protection of Filipinos in the area.

Under crisis alert level 3, voluntary repatriation at government’s expense will be offered to Filipinos who wish to leave South Sudan in light of the escalating tensions.