DFA chief meets with Syrian officials, eyes repatriation of 200 more Pinoys

After having repatriated 490 Filipinos from strife-torn Syria, the Philippine government is planning to repatriate at least 200 more in the next two weeks. Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario, currently in Syria to personally oversee the repatriation of Filipinos there, disclosed this at a meeting with Filipino community representatives there. "We will be repatriating 200 OFWs (overseas Filipino workers) within the next two weeks and another 200 in the following weeks," a Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) statement quoted him as telling the Filipino community representatives. Del Rosario went to Syria last weekend to intensify the Philippine government's efforts in the mandatory repatriation of Filipinos in Syria. While there, he sought the Syrian government's help in assisting Filipinos in conflict-affected areas like Homs, Daraa, Idlib and Hama. On Monday, he met with senior Syrian officials to make representations for the repatriation of Filipinos there. The DFA said Del Rosario requested the Ministry's assistance in further updating the Philippine Embassy in Damascus' current database of 5,000 Filipinos. "This is in order to supplement the determination of the exact location and other information of other Filipinos deployed throughout Syria's 13 governorates," it said. Del Rosario met with Foreign Minister Walid al-Moallem, Deputy Foreign Minister Ahmad Arnous and other Syrian officials. He expressed the Philippines' gratitude to Foreign Minister al-Moallem for ensuring that all Filipino nationals in Syria are kept safe despite the ongoing unrest there. For his part, Foreign Minister al-Moallem provided Del Rosario with a first-hand situationer and briefing on the events in Syria. Del Rosario also thanked Minister al-Moallem for facilitating the repatriation of 490 Filipinos since the beginning of unrest in March 2011, and for allowing the widespread information dissemination on the Philippine government's mandatory repatriation program. Illegal trafficking Meanwhile, Del Rosario brought to the Minister's attention the continuing illegal trafficking of OFWs into Syrian territory, despite the current ban on their deployment in view of Alert Level 4, which involves mandatory repatriation. Del Rosario also expressed the Philippines' hope for a peaceful and orderly end to the current crisis in the country. Earlier, Del Rosario and the Philippine delegation met with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) ambassadors in Damascus for an exchange of views on the current political and security situation in Syria. They also coordinated Philippine efforts with those of the embassies of other ASEAN countries in safeguarding the welfare of their nationals across the country. Meeting with Filipinos Upon arrival in Damascus Sunday night, Del Rosario met with the leaders of the Filipino Community in Syria to solidify the Philippines' campaign for the mandatory repatriation of Filipinos. He also reiterated the call for all OFWs in Syria to leave the country soonest. "We are fully committed to ensuring the safety and welfare of all Filipinos in Syria.  It is our objective to undertake the repatriation of our kababayans as quickly as possible," he told the leaders of the Filipino community who met him. Del Rosario also thoroughly reviewed the Embassy's contingency plans, which resulted in a greater commitment of resources that will help in the urgent implementation of the repatriation program. With Del Rosario was DFA Undersecretary for Migrant Workers Affairs Esteban Conejos Jr. — KBK, GMA News