27 August 2013 – The Philippine Embassy in Damascus reported to the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) that 43 Filipinos have been declared physically fit to travel. The group crossed the Syrian-Lebanese border yesterday with the assistance of Embassy personnel.

They were met by representatives of the Philippine Embassy in Beirut at the Masna’a border crossing yesterday. They are scheduled to fly to Manila via Doha, Qatar today, August 27.

They will arrive at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal I later today, at 11:05 in the evening via Qatar Airways flight QR 644. 

Upon the group’s arrival, the total number of repatriates will reach 4,553.

The Embassy in Beirut also helped in the repatriation of a batch of 53 Filipinos from Syria last August 21. The group was assisted by Embassy officials and staff members throughout their brief stay in Lebanon and was sent off at the Rafic Hariri International Airport by no less than Philippine Ambassador to Lebanon Leah Basinang-Ruiz and her spouse, Mr. Ricardo Ruiz.

The two groups’ plane tickets and their meals during their respective journeys were provided by the International Organization for Migration (IOM).

A total of 1,545 Filipinos from Syria have so far been repatriated through Lebanon since cross-border repatriation operations began in December 2012.

The DFA continues to appeal to all Filipinos who are still in Syria to seek immediate repatriation as the security situation in the country worsens. For assistance they may call the Embassy at 963-11-6132626, +963-96-8955057, +963-93-4957926, +963-99-2264145, +963-96-8953340, or +963-95-8903893.

The families of Filipinos in Syria may also provide the DFA with latest information regarding their kin’s present location and contact details in Syria. Those who wish to do so may call the Office of the Undersecretary for Migrant Workers’ Affairs (OUMWA) at (02) 834-3240 or 834-4583 or the DFA’s 24-hour Action Center at (02) 834-3333. END