23 March 2016 - Charge d’ Affaires en pied at the Philippine Embassy in Damascus Nestor N. Padalhin were met at the airport by his colleagues from the Department of Foreign Affairs - Office of Middle East and African Affairs (DFA-OMEAA) as he returned to Manila after serving in war-torn Syria for  three and a half years.

“Ambassador Padalhin is a fine example of a low-key but effective diplomat who oversaw the repatriation of thousands of Filipinos in the course of on-going conflict in Syria. We intend to show our respect to Ambassador Padalhin for his courageous brand of public service,” said Assistant Secretary for OMEAA Hjayceelyn M. Quintana who led the well-wishers at the airport. Ambassador Padalhin was former Ambassador to Nigeria.

His Syria assignment capped his 40 years in the Foreign Service which ended with his compulsory retirement. END