More Pinoys want to be repatriated from Syria

More Filipinos want to be repatriated from violence-plagued Syria, including distressed workers and those detained in jails there. Philippine Consul General to Syria Marlo Miranda said they are arranging for the departure of 190 Filipinos, 58 distressed workers, and 25 Filipino detainees. "Ang 190 ... uumpisahan na natin yan. Meron pa kami matagal dito sa shelter, 58 po sila, plus yan sa pauuwiin sa lalong madaling panahon tapos ang mga nasa preso hingi namin permiso sa korte kung pwede sila pauwiin yan ay mga 25 at kung sino pa ang madagdag," he said in an interview aired early Monday on dzBB radio. Miranda said they are working out a "payment scheme" with the employers of some of the Filipinos who wish to go home because their work leave may be seen as terminating their contracts prematurely. "Lahat sila ang amo, ang 190, kailangan magpaalam ko kami, magpaalam sa kanila ... Para tayo ang nag-terminate ng contract," he said. Meanwhile, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said the embassy will continue to assist the Filipinos who will avail of voluntary repatriation. DFA spokesman Raul Hernandez said Philippine officials are working to settle the deployment cost and exit clearances needed to bring the Filipinos back home. "Pag natapos ang prosesong ito bibigyan sila ng tickets para makaalis using the commercial flights kasi open pa airports at operational pa ang commercial airlines doon," he said in an interview on dwIZ radio. - VVP, GMA News