DFA Brings Home 290 Distressed Filipinos from Middle East in Feb

21 February 2020 — The Department of Foreign Affairs continues to bring home distressed Filipinos from Abu Dhabi, Lebanon, Iraq, and Riyadh as part of its efforts of to assist Filipino nationals in the Middle East region.

"This February, the DFA remains focused on implementing its mandate wherever it is needed, and our people remains committed to completing the tasks at hand," Foreign Affairs Undersecretary for Migrant Workers' Affairs Sarah Lou Arriola said.

Between 12 and 19 February, the DFA brought home 112 distressed Filipinos from Abu Dhabi, all of whom are likely human trafficking victims. Upon arrival, the repatriates were turned over to Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking (IACAT) for proper determination of individual cases.

Meanwhile, some 159 Filipinos were also brought home from Lebanon last 17-18 February as the DFA increases its efforts to assist Filipinos who are adversely affected by the economic downturns in that country.

Filipinos availing of repatriation from Iraq added another 13 between 06 and 19 February, including two individuals who arrived on 19 February, while those from Riyadh were six in total, between 12 and 18 February.

"Rest assured that the Department will work to protect our Overseas Filipinos and Overseas Filipino Workers because they are the heart of our mandate," concludes Undersecretary Arriola. END