34 female OFWs repatriated from Syria

SOME 34 female overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) have been repatriated from Syria as the Philippine government steps up its efforts to bring home all citizens from the strife-torn country, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said.

The latest batch of OFWs returned to Manila on Tuesday aside from the 22 who were repatriated on July 16 and 17.

As of July 24, a total of 1,853 Filipinos have been repatriated since the conflict in Syria started in March 2011.

The DFA said that in an effort to intensify its current repatriation operations, the Embassy in Damascus further expanded its information campaign through text messages, information flyers, and media advertisements to complement its existing links with Filipino community leaders and groups.

It also urged Filipinos in Syria to call the Embassy at (963-11)-6132626 so that the latter's personnel could reach them.

Meanwhile, Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario sent Undersecretary Rafael Seguis to Syria to negotiate for the easing of exit visa requirements for OFWs caught in the violence.

A six-man government Rapid Response Team (RRT) also departed for Syria over the weekend to augment the Embassy's operations.

The RRT is composed of officials and personnel from the DFA, the Department of Interior and Local Government, and the Department of Labor and Employment. (SDR/Sunnex)