Malacanang to Pinoys in Syria: Let us take you home
Philippine News Agency and Eric Apolonio, InterAksyon.com
January 2, 2012

 MANILA, Philippines – Malacanang has reiterated its appeal to over 4,000 Filipinos who are still in Syria to heed the government’s call for mandatory repatriation in the wake of escalating violence in the Arab country.

Presidential spokesperson Edwin Lacierda on Monday issued the appeal amid reports that many Filipinos are still refusing to leave Syria.

The Philippine Embassy in Damascus reported that the capital remains on high alert following the back-to-back car bombings there on December 23.

“We would like to ask the Filipinos in Syria – whether they are documented or undocumented – to heed the appeal of the Philippine government. Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario is there right now and we would like to ask them to cooperate for their own safety. We want to make sure that all Filipinos be accounted for,” Lacierda said.

Lacierda said Secretary Del Rosario flew to Syria to lead DFA officials to convince the Filipinos to have themselves repatriated to Manila at government’s expense.

Read full article @ interaksyon.com