DFA warns OFWs to leave Syria now

Department of Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto Romulo has warned overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in Syria to leave the country as soon as possible due to escalating violence.

Romulo said the DFA is raising Alert Level 3 for the entire country of Syria effective today as internal conflict between political leaders and parties has mobilized thousands to go on marches that caused eruption of violence on the streets.

“Under Alert Level 3 (voluntary repatriation), all Filipinos working and residing in Syria are enjoined to leave Syria and the Philippine Government will provide for the repatriation cost,” Romulo said in the DFA press statement.

He likewise directed the Philippine Embassy in Damascus to intensify its efforts to reach out to Filipinos and convince them that now is the time to consider leaving Syria.

There are more or less 5,000 OFWs in Syria who mostly work as domestic helpers. The Department of Labor and Employment estimated that 90 percent of the OFWs in Syria are illegal.