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Last 80 OFWs in Afghanistan rescued, now in safe countries

August 21, 2021 Willy M. Balasa 302 views

THE remaining 80 overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in Afghanistan have already left Kabul and are now in safe countries waiting for repatriation by the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA).

This was the information gathered from the aviation sector stationed at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport [NAIA] saying that the 30 OFWs were flown to Islamabad, Pakistan on board Pakistan Airways at 6:00 Friday evening [Kabul time] and they are now under the care of Philippine Embassy personnel.

The 30 OFWs who are now in Islamabad are waiting for the repatriation flight either from a local carrier or a commercial flight from a foreign carrier to bring them back to the Philippines.

In England, there are about 18 OFWs from an initial five and 13 who arrived this week.

According to Migrant Expert Emmanuel Geslani, the OFWs are located in different cities in England, Birmingham, Northampton and Swindon.

Geslanie said he received a report from a former migrant worker in Kabul who has a constant communication with the OFWs there, that 60 Filipinos are presently accounted for.

Samahang Pilipino sa Afghanistan (SPA) president Glenn Gumpal is now in Birmingham, England after he was allowed to board a British military plane from Kabul. There was a report that five other Filipinas are now staying in Northampton and five staying in Oxford.

The displaced OFWs were quarantined in their hotels and have contacted the Philippine Embassy in London who will try to shorten their quarantine periods and arrange for plane tickets for Manila.

While in Doha, Qatar there were eight staying at the AMC, a US facility and might be able to fly to Manila anytime.

As reported earlier by the DFA, there were five OFWS in Indonesia who boarded an Indonesian Military plane upon the request of their Indonesian employer.

SPA said, so far, there were 61 others but there were reports that some are in Armenia but no communication yet from them.

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