21 OFWs to arrive from Syria

MANILA, Philippines - At least 21 overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) were scheduled to arrive from Syria last night.

The Philippine embassy in Damascus headed by Charge d’ Affaires Ricardo Endaya reported to Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario that the OFWs , who availed themselves of the government’s voluntary repatriation program, boarded Qatar Airways flight QR 644 Thursday night.

On Sept. 20, the Philippine embassy repatriated six Filipinos, one of whom arrived from Damascus on Sept. 21.

The embassy and the 10-member Rapid Response Team headed by Foreign Affairs Principal Assistant Maynard Maleon are conducting negotiations with employers for the immediate release of the OFWs exit visa.