DFA hails Pinay hero who helped save 25 Pinoys in Syria

The Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) lauded Alma Bella Guiao, the Filipina who helped 25 fellow overseas Filipino workers (OFW) escape from conflict-hit areas in Syria.

 

The DFA commended Guiao, 34, in a simple ceremony upon her arrival at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) from Damascus, Syria on Thursday afternoon.

 

"We commend Ms. Guiao for her unyielding courage and perseverance in saving fellow OFWs caught in the conflict-stricken governorate of Homs," Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario said. "She is a role model for the Filipino community in Syria because of her steadfast dedication in getting Filipino household service workers out of harm's way. She is an example of a Filipino who is truly patriotic and dedicated to the service of her fellow Filipinos," Del Rosario added.

 

 

 

A native of Argao in Cebu province, she had worked in Syria for two years and nine months.

 

She had helped save at least 25 OFWs from Homs and Latakia by sheltering them, facilitating their travel to Damascus via taxi, and escorting them to Damascus, especially when Homs was still difficult to access.

 

Among the officials who welcomed Guiao were DFA Special Assistant Enrico Fos of the DFA Office of Migrant Workers Affairs and House of Representatives Committee on Overseas Workers' Affairs (COWA) head Rep. Walden Bello.

 

The two presented her a Certificate of Commendation for her brave act of saving fellow OFWs from conflict-stricken areas in Syria. — RSJ/VVP, GMA News