DFA strengthens repatriation efforts in Syria

The Department of Foreign Affairs has ordered the Philippine Embassy in Damascus to further hasten the repatriation of Filipinos in Syria with the on-going tactical withdrawal of rebel forces from their stronghold in Homs, and the possible establishment of a humanitarian corridor in the said country.

"I have instructed the Embassy to take advantage of the lull in the fighting to extract all Filipinos from the conflict areas of Homs, Hama, Idlib and Dara'a," Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert F. del Rosario said.

"The Rapid Response Team will also be sent to set up additional extraction outposts in and around this conflict areas to facilitate the extraction and repatriation of our nationals," he added.

A RRT, composed of DFA, Department of Labor and Employment and Department of Interior and Local Government personnel, remains in Syria and continues to help out in the repatriation of overseas Filipino workers in conflict areas.

Crisis alert level 4 is currently in place over Syria and the mandatory repatriation of all Filipinos in the country is underway.

Earlier, the DFA requests the families of OFWs in Syria, more particularly those who are are in the conflict areas of Homs, Hama, Dara'a, and Idlib, to provide information on the whereabouts of their relatives and their latest contact details.

The next-of-kin of Filipinos in Syria are encouraged to assist the DFA and help ensure the safety of their family members by providing up to date contact information.

Interested parties may call the DFA's Office of the Undersecretary for Migrant Workers' Affairs at (02) 834-3245 or (02) 834-3240.

The DFA is doing its utmost to reach all Filipinos in Syria to inform them of the measures implemented by the Philippine Government and get them out of harm's way. - PIA — ARA