DMW: 13 OFWs, 1 infant repatriated from Iraq via Hong Kong

Thirteen overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) and an infant were safely repatriated from Iraq and arrived in Manila on Monday after transiting through Hong Kong, the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) said.

In a statement, the DMW, quoting the Migrant Workers Office (MWO) in Hong Kong, said the repatriation effort was done in coordination with the Philippine Embassy in Baghdad and the Philippine Consulate General (PCG) in Hong Kong.

The agency tasked the MWO Hong Kong “to extend all necessary assistance during the group’s transit and ensure their safe return to the Philippines.”

The group transited through the Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA) on April 26, arriving at 5:15 p.m. and departing for Manila at 11:15 p.m.

During their transit, Consul General Romulo Victor Israel Jr., Labor Attaché Cesar Chavez Jr., Vice Consul George Mariano Soriano, Assistant Labor Attaché Nemesia Karen Arlan, and personnel from the PCG and MWO Hong Kong met the OFWs to provide airport assistance and food provisions.

The group arrived at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 1 on Monday, April 27.

They were received and assisted by the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA)’s Repatriation Assistance Division (RAD), which extended airport facilitation and welfare support.

“Karapatan ng ating mga OFW ang isang ligtas at maayos na pag-uwi. Ikinagagalak ng MWO Hong Kong na makatulong sa kanila habang nasa transit, at makatrabaho ang PCG Hong Kong, Baghdad PE, at OWWA para matiyak na maayos ang kanilang biyahe at kalagayan hanggang sa kanilang pag-uwi,” Chavez said.

(Our OFWs have the right to a safe and orderly homecoming. The MWO Hong Kong is glad to have helped them while in transit, working with PCG Hong Kong, Philippine Embassy in Baghdad, and OWWA to ensure their safe journey and welfare.) — JMA, GMA News