MANILA, Philippines - The Philippine government continues with the mandatory repatriation of Filipinos in Syria ahead of the ceasefire deadline set by the Syrian government and United Nations (UN) Special Envoy Kofi Annan, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said yesterday.

 DFA spokesperson Raul Hernandez said the Philippine embassy in Damascus led by Chargé d’Affaires Olivia Palala continues its repatriation of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs).

A total of 22 female OFWs were scheduled to arrive in Manila last night.

The repatriates, mostly from Damascus, sought refuge at the embassy’s halfway house while embassy officials negotiated with their employers and Syrian authorities for the issuance of their exit visas.

The International Organization for Migration (IOM) shouldered the plane tickets of the OFWs.

“We are hoping that the UN-brokered ceasefire agreement will be honored by all parties. Nevertheless, we intend to continue with the mandatory repatriation of Filipinos while we assess the security situation in Syria,” Hernandez said.         

Source:http://www.philstar.com/nation/article.aspx?publicationsubcategoryid=65&;articleid=796121