More Filipinos arrive from strife-torn Syria

AP file photo

Amid the escalating conflict in Syria, several batches of Filipinos were repatriated this month as the government continues to widen its reach to Filipino communities around the strife-torn country.

In a statement Wednesday, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said a total of 56 Filipinos were brought home in the last two weeks.

Of this number, 34 were repatriated on Tuesday while 22 were flown home on July 16 and 17 through the Philippine Embassy in Damascus.

This brings to 1,853 the total number of Filipinos who have returned home since March 2011 under the government’s mandatory repatriation program as hostilities continued to escalate between rebels and government forces in Syria.

Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario has also sent Undersecretary Rafael Seguis to Syria to request the Syrian government anew to relax the exit visa requirements for Filipino migrant workers caught in the conflict.

The Philippines’ Damascus post has also widened its reach across Syria to locate more Filipinos amid repatriation efforts.   The embassy has stepped up its information campaign, sending out text messages, flyers and even placing media advertisements to reach Filipino communities.

A six-member Government Rapid Response Team, composed of officials from the DFA, the Departments of Labor and the Interior and Local Government, flew to Syria over the weekend to assist in the operations at the Damascus post.

The DFA also called on families who have relatives in Syria to provide its Migrant Workers’ Affairs office updated information on their loved ones’ location and contact details through its 24-hour hotline (02) 834-4996 or (02) 834-3333, or e-mail [email protected].