DFA to continue repatriation efforts in Syria during Holy Week

The Philippine Embassy in Damascus, led by Chargé d’ Affaires, a.i. Olivia V. Palala, will continue its repatriation efforts in strife-torn Syria during the Holy Week break.

Another batch of six OFWs will arrive in Manila on April 5, Maundy Thursday, and five more on April 6, Good Friday, on board the following flights:

Airline	Flight No.	Date	ETA	No. of OFWs
Emirates Airlines	Flight 334	April 5	1555H	1
Emirates Airlines	Flight 332	April 5	2155H	5
Emirates Airlines	Flight 332	April 6	2155H	5

This brings the total number of repatriates to 1,221.

“The Philippine Embassy in Damascus will bring as many Filipinos as possible out of harm’s way without any delay even during Holy Week,” Department of Foreign Affairs Spokesperson Raul Hernandez said.

The security situation has seriously deteriorated since the Syrian uprising began in January last year prompting the Philippine government to raise alert level 4, which calls for the mandatory repatriation of all Filipinos from the country.

The Philippine government is exerting all efforts to bring Filipinos out of Syria particularly those in the violence-ridden governorates of Homs, Idlib, Hama, and Dara’a.

The public are likewise being urged to assist the DFA in its repatriation efforts by providing information on the whereabouts of their loved ones in Syria as well as their latest contact details.

Interested parties may call the Department of Foreign Affairs’ Office of the Undersecretary for Migrant Workers’ Affairs (DFA-OUMWA) at (02) 834-3245 or (02) 834-3240.