Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, February 14) — The Philippine Embassy in Damascus will send a six-man team to aid Filipinos in northwest Syria, which was affected by 7.8 magnitude earthquake last Feb. 6, along with Türkiye (formerly Turkey).
“May six-man team na pupunta sa area na ‘yon galing Damascus para bigyan ang mga Filipino ng anumang kailangan nila na tulong,” Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Usec. Eduardo Jose de Vega said on Tuesday.
He did not mention when the team will arrive in Syria.
There were no Filipino casualties in quake-hit Syria, but over 60 Filipinos were affected, according to De Vega.
The Office of Civil Defense (OCD) earlier said the government will send relief supplies instead of a rescue team.
READ: OCD: No rescue team for Syria
On Feb. 9, the Philippine contingent arrived in Türkiye to help in the rescue and recovery efforts.
READ: PH contingent arrives in quake-hit Turkey to join rescue, recovery efforts
The DFA said it also plans to assist Filipinos in Türkiye who wish to return home.
“Yung iba sa mga Filipino ay may citizenship na o may asawa na Turko kaya kailangan pa asikasuhin yung mga citizenship issues (before sending them back to the Philippines),” it added.
