15 December 2014 – The Philippine Embassy in Damascus personnel, together with the 28 sheltered overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in the Halfway Quarters, commemorated the International Day against Trafficking through a traditional flag raising ceremony held on December 08  at the rooftop of the Philippine Chancery.

The highlight of the celebration was the recitation of The DFA Pledge Against Trafficking in Persons by the Embassy personnel, led by designated Officer-In-Charge, William F. Tan. A light breakfast was also shared among the sheltered OFWs and Embassy personnel after the flag raising ceremony.

As Filipinos continue to seek employment abroad, the sheltered OFWs were advised to be more vigilant in their next quest for employment abroad. They were reminded that the Philippine government has put in place various legitimate mechanisms that could help them obtain employment abroad, legally.

The Embassy in Damascus, being an Assistance-to-Nationals Post, had been at the forefront in securing the safety and welfare of Filipino nationals in Syria who sought repatriation assistance due to the ongoing military conflict in the country. With the ongoing Mandatory Repatriation Program, the Embassy has already repatriated 5,546 Filipino nationals: A majority of this number were victims of human trafficking, who mostly came from the Southern Philippines. END