DFA: 39 Pinoys brave winter weather, icy roads to return from Syria


Another batch of 39 Filipinos, including an infant, arrived home safely from strife-torn Syria before noon on Tuesday, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said.

In a news release, the DFA said the Filipinos braved winter weather in Syria and traveled through icy roads and heavy traffic from Damascus to Beirut, Lebanon.

"The repatriates were brought to the Masna’a border crossing by members of the Philippine Embassy in Damascus. They spent the night at a Caritas shelter in Baabda assisted by personnel of the Philippine Embassy in Beirut," the DFA said.

A separate report on dzBB radio said Overseas Workers Welfare Administration officials were on hand to welcome the returning Filipinos.

The OFWs will be given assistance in returning to their home provinces and in setting up livelihood if they wish, the report added.

The DFA said the 39 arrived at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 1 at 10:10 a.m. aboard Gulf Air flight GF-154.

According to the DFA, the Philippine Embassy in Beirut made representations with Lebanese immigration authorities to facilitate the Filipinos' transit there.

With the arrival of the 39, the DFA said the the total number of repatriates from Syria is now at 3,349.

Meanwhile, the DFA reiterated its appeal to Filipinos who are still in Syria to seek immediate repatriation as the violence in the country remain unabated.

The DFA said Filipinos may contact the Embassy for assistance at 963-11-6132626.

Family members of Filipinos in Syria may also provide the DFA with latest information regarding their loved ones’ current location and contact details in Syria.

Those who wish to do so may call the Office of the Undersecretary for Migrant Workers’ Affairs (OUMWA) at (02) 834-4996 or the DFA Action Center at (02) 834-3333. - VVP, GMA News

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