35 repatriated OFWs from Syria fail to arrive

A batch of 35 Filipinos repatriated from Syria failed to arrive in Manila Friday night, radio dzBB reported Saturday. The OFWs were scheduled to land at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport at 11 p.m. Friday.

No reason was immediately given for the cancelation of the flight, the report said.

Earlier, the Department of Foreign Affairs said the 35 OFWs were to arrive aboard Qatar Airways flight QR 644.

The DFA had also said 123 more Filipinos were awaiting repatriation as well.

The DFA cited a report from the Philippine Embassy in Damascus which said the 35 Filipinos safely crossed the Syrian-Lebanese border on Wednesday and were in the care of the Philippine Embassy in Beirut.

Had the latest batch arrived home, the number of Filipinos repatriated from Syria would have gone up to 3,986. — DVM, GMA News

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