30 August 2013 – The Philippine Embassy in Damascus reported to the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) that 14 Filipinos are scheduled to arrive from Syria today, August 30.
The fresh batch of repatriates traveled to the Syrian-Lebanese border assisted by the personnel of the Philippine Embassy in Damascus.
As in previous batches, the group was fetched at the Masna’a border crossing and was assisted through immigration formalities and other procedures both at the border and at the airport by representatives of the Philippine Embassy in Beirut.
The repatriates are due to arrive at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal I at 11:10 p.m. via Etihad Airways flight EY 428.
Upon the group’s arrival, the total number of repatriates will reach 4,567.
This is the 28th cross-border repatriation undertaken by the two Embassies, which brought the total of OFWs from Syria who were repatriated through Lebanon to 1,559 since the start of the cross-border operations in December 2012.
The Embassy in Damascus is also processing the repatriation of 45 other OFWs.
The DFA continues to urge all Filipinos who are still in Syria to seek immediate repatriation as the security situation in the country continues to deteriorate. For assistance they may call the Embassy in Damascus at 963-11-6132626, +963-96-8955057, +963-93-4957926, +963-99-2264145, +963-96-8953340, or +963-95-8903893.
The relatives of Filipinos in Syria may also provide the DFA with up-to-date 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