Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, March 9) — A third batch of Filipinos will be repatriated from quake-hit Turkiye this month, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said on Thursday.
Speaking at the government-sponsored Laging Handa briefing, Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Eduardo Jose de Vega said around 20 people are expected to arrive.
A total of 49 Filipinos have come home. One Turkish national, the husband of one of the repatriates, also flew in at his expense.
“Right now, meron pang 78 na natitira sa shelter — may isang shelter para sa OFWs, overseas Filipinos na ni-rescue natin o lumikas sa earthquake-affected areas, so there is still 78. Hindi lahat gusto umuwi, pero magkakaroon ng third batch (of repatriates) for sure,” he said.
[Translation: Right now, 78 remain the shelter for OFWs or overseas Filipinos who were rescued or fled from earthquake-affected areas. Not everyone wants to go home, but there will be a third batch for sure.]
