Thirty-one Filipino from Syria who availed the government’s Mandatory Repatriation Program (MRP) arrived Wednesday, November 11, the Department of Foreign Affairs said.
“The 31 repatriates previously worked and resided in Latakia, Tartous, Aleppo and Damascus before deciding to avail of the MRP and sought shelter at the Philippine Embassy in Damascus’ halfway Quarters,” DFA said.
International Organization for Migration (IOM) based in Damascus shouldered the airfare of 31 Filipinos.
The repatriates, along with the officers and staff of the Philippine Embassy in Damascus, traveled by land on November 10 from Damascus to Lebanon’s Masna’a border where they were met and assisted by officers and staff of the Philippine Embassy in Beirut.
Prior to their flight to Manila, the repatriates received medical check-up and pre-departure briefing.
“With this development, the total number of Filipinos that have been repatriated from Syria since the unrest started in 2011 is now at 5,668. Of this figure, 2,696 were repatriated through Lebanon, with the cooperation of the Philippine Embassy in Beirut,” DFA said.
“The next-of-kin of Filipinos still in Syria are also encouraged to provide information of their family member’s whereabouts or last known contact details in Syria so that immediate assistance can be extended to them,” DFA appeals. Philippine Embassy in Damascus can be reached through [email protected]
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