Palace welcomes Syria's OFW ban

MANILA, Philippines – Malacañang yesterday welcomed the move of the Syrian government banning Filipinos from working in Syria amid government’s efforts to fast-track the repatriation of Filipinos from the conflict-torn country.

“If you consider the situation in Syria, this will actually help us. Remember we are trying to get our people out from Syria. The ban will help us in such a way that will prevent the entry of new OFWs (overseas Filipino workers) to Syria for the time being,” deputy presidential spokesman Abigail Valte said.

The Syrian Ministry of Interior issued Decision Order No. 500 last March 4, excluding Filipinos from the list of foreign nationals allowed to work in Syria.

The Philippine government earlier imposed a deployment ban because of the worsening security situation in Syria.

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said Alma Bella Guiao, who was instrumental in getting at least 25 Filipino workers out of Homs and Latakia to the Philippine embassy in Damascus since last year, is arriving today with nine OFWs who availed themselves of the repatriation program of the government.

“We commend Ms. Guiao for her unyielding courage and perseverance in saving fellow OFWs caught in the conflict-stricken governorate of Homs. She is a role model for the Filipino community in Syria because of her steadfast dedication in getting Filipino household service workers out of harm’s way. She is an example of a Filipino who is truly patriotic and dedicated to the service of her fellow Filipinos,” Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario said.

Four of the OFWs will be repatriated from the Kaffarseuseh prison in Damascus.

The DFA raised crisis Alert Level 4 in Syria last Dec. 22. The mandatory repatriation of all Filipinos in the country is underway.

– Aurea Calica, Pia Lee-Brago