PH Consulate General in Istanbul Assists PH Embassy in Ankara in Repatriating 128 Filipinos in a Special Flight from Istanbul

Left photo: Some of the 51 land-based Overseas Filipinos/Overseas Filipino Workers repatriates board one of three buses that transported them to the Istanbul International Airport for the special repatriation flight TK 4945 arranged the Philippine Embassy in Ankara on 10 June 2020. Right photo: Turkish police escort 20 seafarers from the MV Wakamatsu in Yalova, Turkey as they disembark from their vessel to proceed to the Istanbul International Airport for the said repatriation flight. (Istanbul PCG photo)

ISTANBUL 15 June 2020 – The Philippine Consulate General in Istanbul assisted the Philippine Embassy in Ankara in repatriating 128 Filipinos from Turkey in a special flight TK 4945 on 10 June 2020. The repatriation project sent home Filipinos comprised of 69 land-based Overseas Filipinos (OFs) and 59 sea-based workers. Of the 69 land-based Overseas Filipinos Workers (OFWs), 51 came from Istanbul on repatriation day, while 50 of the 59 seafarers originated from vessels docked in Tuzla, Yalova and Gebze, Turkey, which are all under the Philippine Consulate General’s jurisdiction.

In close coordination with the Philippine Embassy in Ankara, the Consulate General gathered and collated information on the repatriates; coordinated updates from April to June 2020; issued travel documents and notarized affidavits for individual repatriates with visa issues; coordinated arrivals and shelter of repatriates traveling to Istanbul in advance of the repatriation day with the Filipino International Charity for Social, Culture and the Arts (FICASCA); arranged food for 128 repatriates and transportation for 51 land-based repatriates from Istanbul; as well as, hired a Turkish interpreter to assist in the program. 

Also with the help of Philippine Embassy in Ankara, the Consulate General coordinated with the shipping agents of 48 seafarers in vessels docked in Tuzla and Yalova and two recuperating seafarers billeted in hotels in Istanbul; gathered and followed up on information for submission to Philippine authorities; communicated with the Governors of Tuzla and Yalova as well as their respective Harbour Masters to follow up on the seafarers’ status and disembarkation; translated documents regarding the seafarers’ disembarkation; shared information regarding arrangements with Turkish Airlines with the Philippine Embassy in Ankara; and, coordinated the seafarers’ arrivals in the Istanbul International Airport with the Philippine Embassy on repatriation day. END

A total of 128 Filipinos check-in for the special repatriation flight TK 4945 arranged by the Philippine Government on 10 June 2020. (Istanbul PCG photo)

Philippine Ambassador to Turkey Raul S. Hernandez addresses the 128 overseas Filipinos/OFWs repatriates before they board the special flight to Manila on 10 June 2020. He described the efforts undertaken to organize the repatriation effort and assured the passengers of the Philippine Government’s continued assistance to Filipinos affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. (Istanbul PCG photo)

Filipino repatriates board the special flight TK 4945 arranged by the Philippine Government on 10 June 2020. (Istanbul PCG photo)

Philippine Ambassador to Turkey Raul S. Hernandez pose for a parting photo with Filipino students in Turkey who availed of the repatriation flight. (Istanbul PCG photo)

Philippine Ambassador to Turkey Raul S. Hernandez with the eight crew of the MV Nadja Maria docked in Tuzla, Turkey. (Istanbul PCG photo)

Officers and staff of the Philippine Embassy in Ankara and the Philippine Consulate General in Istanbul who facilitated the repatriation program for 128 Filipinos from Istanbul International Airport on 10 June 2020. (Istanbul PCG photo)