More Filipinos to arrive home from Syria

The Philippine Embassy in Damascus reported to the Department of Foreign Affairs that 15 female overseas Filipino workers will arrive in Manila on July 15 in line with the Government's mandatory evacuation program.

The latest batch of repatriates will arrive at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 1 on board Emirates flight EK 334 at 2210H.

Ten of the repatriates are from the Syrian capital, Damascus while the rest are from the coastal cities of Tartous and Latakia and the conflict-stricken city of Homs.

Two more individuals arrived last July 14, via Etihad Airlines flight EY 424.

Seven other OFWs from Aleppo arrived home last July 12. Their repatriation was facilitated by the Embassy and the Philippine Honorary Consul in the city.

As of July 12, a total of 1,775 Filipinos have been repatriated since the Philippine Government started carrying out its mandatory repatriation plan for Syria in December 2011 in light of the ongoing violence in the country.

The DFA is urging the families of Filipinos in Syria to provide the Office of the Undersecretary for Migrant Workers' Affairs with latest information regarding their next-of-kin's current location and their contact details in Syria by calling (02) 834-4996 or (02) 834-3333. - Official Gazette — ARA