Statement on the Repatriation of the First Batch of Filipinos from Iraq

15 January 2020 — The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) is pleased to announce that the first batch of Filipinos (11 adults and 2 children) have been successfully repatriated from Baghdad and Erbil in Iraq. The group was received at Ninoy Aquino International Airport by officials from the DFA-Office of the Undersecretary for Migrant Workers’ Affairs.

The said batch includes the group of 7 adults and 2 children whose departure from Baghdad to Doha was delayed due to immigration problems.

Upon Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro L. Locsin, Jr.’s instructions, the DFA met with the Iraqi Chargè d’Affaires on 14 January 2020 to discuss the matter of the stranded Filipinos. Likewise, Chargè d’Affaires Jomar Sadie of the Philippine Embassy in Baghdad made similar representations with the Iraqi government. The Iraqi side responded favorably to the Philippines’ request in the spirit of friendship and cooperation.

The DFA expresses its profound gratitude and appreciation to the Iraqi government, in particular the Iraqi Embassy in Manila, for their invaluable assistance and cooperation in expediting the repatriation of our kababayan. END