Repatriated Filipinos from Syria reach more than 4K

MANILA, Philippines - The total number of repatriated Filipinos from conflict-torn Syria will reach 4,335 after 31 more Filipinos arrive on Wednesday from Lebanon, the Department of Foreign Affairs reported on Tuesday.

The Philippine Embassy in Beirut said it has secured clearances from the Lebanese Immigration to facilitate the repatriation of the 31 Filipinos.

The latest batch of repatriates will travel to the Syrian-Lebanese border with help from Philippine Embassy officials in Damascus, DFA said.

The state agency added that the cross-border repatriation at the Masna'a border crossing will start from June 25. From there, the repatriates will proceed directly to Beirut’s Rafic Hariri International Airport for their 3:25 p.m. flight to Bahrain. 

The repatriates are expected to arrive 5:15 p.m. at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport on June 26 via Gulf Air flight GF 156.

DFA said Filipinos in Syria who wish to seek immediate repatriation 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 at (02) 834-3240 or 834-4583 or the DFA’s 24-hour Action Center at (02) 834-3333, DFA said.