12 OFWs from troubled Syria arrive in Manila

Twelve overseas Filipino workers ended their nightmare in war-torn Syria as they arrived home Thursday afternoon. The latest batch of OFWs arrived at 4:15 p.m. at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA), radio dzBB's Denver Trinidad reported. On hand to welcome there were relatives and officials from the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration, and the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA). Earlier, DFA spokesman Raul Hernandez said the new batch includes 12 women who availed of the government's repatriation efforts, radio dzBB reported. With Thursday's repatriation, the DFA said some 973 Filipinos have been repatriated from Syria. Last Dec. 22, the DFA raised crisis alert level 4 in Syria and has since asked Filipinos there to go home in light of the escalating social unrest there. Under crisis alert level 4, mandatory repatriation at Philippine government’s expense will be implemented. — LBG, GMA News