RIYADH: Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert F. del Rosario visited Syria on Sept. 4 and 5 and held meetings with Syrian leaders in efforts to intensify the Philippine government's ongoing efforts for the safe repatriation of Filipinos in Syria.
According to a DFA source, Philippine officials first met with Dr. Bouthaina Shaaban, Presidential Adviser for Political and Media Affairs. The Secretary then contacted Foreign Minister al-Moallem, who was joined by Deputy Foreign Minister Ahmad Arnous and the Chief of Asia Department, Ambassador Suleiman Saraa.
The high level meeting resulted in ordering the Syrian foreign affairs to waive the exit visa requirements for all OFWs in the shelter immediately and without preconditions.
The Philippine delegation proposed that the Syrian government allow the repatriation of the 250 OFWs in the shelter first and then to coordinate with the Philippine Embassy on the repatriation of those on the list of 1,300 OFWs immediately. Both lists were given by the Philippine delegation to Ambassador Suleiman Saraa.
Del Rosario explained the difficulties that the Philippine Government is now experiencing in repatriating its nationals and requested the same exemptions from exit visa fees and requirements that was granted in favor of a total of 200 OFWs last August. He requested the same arrangements for the 1,300 OFWs who have expressed their desire to be repatriated.
Acting on the new development once again, Migrante-Middle East (M-ME), a migrants’ rights group with chapters in most middle eastern countries, said it welcomed the move by the Syrian government waiving the required exit visa or clearance for fellow OFWs who are temporarily seeking refuge at the Philippine Embassy building in Damascus.
He noted that the public and various OFW groups have been demanding that the DFA better assess the situation in Syria so that an appropriate evacuation and repatriation plan be promptly implemented by the PH post and the DFA in Syria without waiting for the situation to further deteriorate.
The group leader added that the "better-late-than-never" strategy is not appropriate to describe the success of the government in dealing with the Assad government as the lives and safety of the stranded OFWs have been so compromised.
“With the Syria govt. waiving the exit visa clearances, the kin in the Philippines expect their stranded OFWs immediate repatriation,” he said, adding that aside from repatriation efforts by the government, there are a considerable numbers of OFWs still trapped in Syria.
“To our conservative estimates, there are still around 2,000 OFWs trapped all over Syria awaiting to be rescued and evacuated aside from those 225 OFWs housed at our embassy in Damascus,” he added.
He added, “Our mission has not yet been accomplished. Evacuation efforts to secure our fellow OFWs in safe refuges are still wanted and that is the most difficult task.”
“Through the DFA, the Philippines government must continue to explore with the Syria government how the remaining trapped OFWs all over Syria can be rescued and evacuated to safer places for eventual repatriation,” Monterona ended
More OFWs to be repatriated from Syria
