68 OFWs To Return Home From Syria

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on Tuesday said at least 68 overseas Filipino workers are due to return home this week from the strife-torn middle eastern State.

According to DFA website, the Philippine embassies in Beirut and Damascus has brought 68 OFWs from Syria to Caritas Shelter in Lebanon last August 30 and will be sent to the Philippines in two batches, Gma news online reported.

The online news said the website stated the first group, composed of 23 OFWs, will arrive in Manila on September 5 at 10:55 a.m. via Gulf Air flight GF 154, while the remaining 45 OFWs will arrive at 04:20 p.m. the following day, September 06, on board Qatar Airways flight QR 646.

The same DFA statement said the 68 had been granted exit visas by the Syrian government and were turned over to the Philippine Embassy in Lebanon. It added that the OFWs are now staying at the Caritas Lebanon Migrant Centre (CLMC). Philippine Ambassador to Lebanon Leah Ruiz and her husband Ricardo welcomed the 68 at the Caritas shelter, said the online news.

The ambassador said she would convey their thanks to Caritas officials, including Eng. Kamal Sioufi, President of the CLMC Board Committee, and Najla Chahda, CLMC Director.

DFA said once the second group arrives, the number of Filipinos repatriated from Syria will now reach 4,636.

The online news reported the same DFA statement announced “This is the 29th cross-border operation undertaken by the Philippine Embassies in Beirut and Damascus since it started in December 2012.”

DFA Undersecretary Rafael Seguis is reportedly in Syria to facilitate the immediate repatriation of the remaining OFWs in the place. Further, the statement added the Philippine Embassy in Beirut has fielded a border team that includes Vice Consul Dennis John Briones and Assistance-to-Nationals (ATN) officer Dexter Macaraeg, Gma news online said.

Briones and Macaraeg, the report said, were reportedly tasked to receive the 68 OFWs from the officers and staff of the Embassy in Damascus and would facilitate their entry into Lebanon through the Masna’a border crossing.

Moreover, selected personnel of the Philippine Embassy in Beirut were reportedly assigned to stay in and manage the shelter 24/7 on a rotating basis until all of the OFWs leave Lebanon, Gma news online stated.

Source: GMA news tv