Del Rosario orders voluntary repatriation of Pinoy workers in Syria By Michaela P. del Callar 05/02/2011

Del Rosario orders voluntary repatriation of Pinoy workers in Syria

By Michaela P. del Callar 05/02/2011

Acting Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario has ordered voluntary repatriation for 4,110 Filipinos living in three areas in Syria where violent demonstrations are taking place.

Del Rosario, who visited Damascus over the weekend to meet with Syrian officials and personally check on the condition of Filipinos in the strife-torn country, instructed the embassy to ask 110 Filipinos in Daraa, 2,400 in Latakia, and 1,600 in Homs if they wish to be evacuated.

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) last week raised the crisis alert level in Syria to number 2, which entails restriction of movements around said country, avoiding large crowds and areas of protest.

Non-essential and non-urgent travel is discouraged, including travel for tourism purposes, and only returning workers are allowed to go back.

There are around 17,000 Filipinos in Syria..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/nation/20110502nat1.html