3 Pinoys stranded on Kish Island repatriated

MANILA, Philippines - At least three Filipinos stranded on Kish Island in Iran for months but had no chance to enter the UAE for varied reasons have been repatriated to Manila, an online news site said Saturday. Khaleej Times reported the repatriation was made Tuesday night, following efforts by the United Arab Emirates and the Philippines. "The diplomatic representation made by the Philippines Department of Foreign Affairs (PDFA) with appropriate authorities in UAE is bearing fruit," said Philippine Consul Benito Valeriano. Both countries had agreed to repatriate those who could no longer re-enter UAE and to expeditiously process the visa applications of those who still qualify to stay in the Emirates. Repatriated were Noron Abdullah, Marcial Hanopol and Carlo Medina. The PDFA allowed the consulate in Dubai to buy their tickets that brought them out of Kish Island at 5 p.m. Tuesday. The three were put on a Royal Brunei Airlines flight at 10:35 p.m. the same day, the report said. Valeriano said the three are among some 100 Filipinos, who are uncertain of their re-entry to UAE. "We have checked their status in the immigration files and have submitted their names for repatriation to Manila," he said. As of now, he said there are Filipinos still waiting for their visas on Kish Island and on the UAE-Oman border. The processing of their visas is ongoing, even as the consulate is still checking for more names for repatriation purposes. - GMANews.TV