35 OFWs to arrive from Syria, DFA says

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippine Embassy in Damascus reported to the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) that 35 Filipinos safely crossed the Syrian-Lebanese border Wednesday.

A statement from the DFA said the group, which is now under the care of the Philippine Embassy in Beirut, will take a flight for Manila via Doha, Qatar today.

They will arrive at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal I  on Friday  at 11:00 p.m. aboard Qatar Airways flight QR 644. 

Upon the group’s arrival, the total number of repatriates will reach 3,986.

Another 123 Filipinos have been granted exit visas by Syrian Immigration authorities and are awaiting repatriation. The Embassy in Beirut is currently processing their application for Lebanese transit visas and their flight booking.

The DFA continues to urge all Filipinos who are still in Syria to seek immediate repatriation as the violence in the country continue to worsen. For assistance they may call the Embassy at 963-11-6132626, +963968955057, +963934957926, +963992264145, +963968953340, or +963958903893.

The families of Filipinos in Syria may also provide the DFA with up-to-date information regarding their next-of-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.