60 OFWs in Syria seek repatriation

At least 60 overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) have relayed to Philippine officials their interest in being repatriated from Syria. Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) spokesman Raul Hernandez said 40 of the OFWs are staying at the Philippine Embassy in Damascus, radio dzBB's Rodil Vega reported on Friday. The dzBB report quoted Hernandez as saying another 20 OFWs called up the embassy and expressed interest in going home. Hernandez also said a Philippine rapid response team led by DFA Undersecretary Esteban Conejos Jr. is still in Syria to assess the situation. Earlier, the DFA raised the alert level in Syria to "3" due to the growing violence there. Such an alert level involves voluntary repatriation. The Philippine government also temporarily banned the deployment of workers to Syria. Both the DFA and Department of Labor and Employment had been trying to convince Filipinos to avail of voluntary repatriation this early, while the exit and escape routes are still open. - VVP, GMA News