DMW: 290 Filipinos repatriated from Lebanon through chartered flight | ABS-CBN
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DMW: 290 Filipinos repatriated from Lebanon through chartered flight
DMW: 290 Filipinos repatriated from Lebanon through chartered flight
Ched Rick Gatchalian,
ABS-CBN News
Published Oct 26, 2024 01:16 PM PHT
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Updated Oct 26, 2024 04:59 PM PHT
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A total of 290 Filipinos were repatriated from Lebanon through chartered flight. Facebook/Department of Migrant Workers
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MANILA — A total of 290 Filipinos were successfully repatriated from Lebanon via a chartered flight on Friday, the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) announced Saturday.
MANILA — A total of 290 Filipinos were successfully repatriated from Lebanon via a chartered flight on Friday, the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) announced Saturday.
The plane carrying the returning 233 OFWs, 13 dependents, 21 overseas Filipinos and their 23 dependents took off Lebanon at 2 p.m. (Beirut time).
The plane carrying the returning 233 OFWs, 13 dependents, 21 overseas Filipinos and their 23 dependents took off Lebanon at 2 p.m. (Beirut time).
They landed at NAIA Terminal 1 in Pasay City at 3:03 p.m. accompanied by MWO Attaché to Alkhobar, Hector B. Cruz, Jr. from Beirut to Manila.
They landed at NAIA Terminal 1 in Pasay City at 3:03 p.m. accompanied by MWO Attaché to Alkhobar, Hector B. Cruz, Jr. from Beirut to Manila.
To ensure the safety of the repatriates, the chartered flight was arranged by DMW, Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), and the Philippine Embassy in Ankara, Turkiye.
To ensure the safety of the repatriates, the chartered flight was arranged by DMW, Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), and the Philippine Embassy in Ankara, Turkiye.
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"The Philippine Embassy and the Migrant Workers Office (MWO) in Lebanon work hand-in-hand with the host government to facilitate travel documents for Filipinos to join this flight,” Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Cacdac said.
"The Philippine Embassy and the Migrant Workers Office (MWO) in Lebanon work hand-in-hand with the host government to facilitate travel documents for Filipinos to join this flight,” Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Cacdac said.
The repatriation of this batch brings to a total of 903 OFWs and 47 dependents from Lebanon who have been repatriated through the government’s voluntary repatriation program.
The repatriation of this batch brings to a total of 903 OFWs and 47 dependents from Lebanon who have been repatriated through the government’s voluntary repatriation program.
Amid the rising tension in the Middle East, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. recently ordered the evacuation of Filipinos in Lebanon “by whatever means.
Amid the rising tension in the Middle East, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. recently ordered the evacuation of Filipinos in Lebanon “by whatever means.
A migrant workers' organizations locally and in the Middle East has echoed the same call of urgent evacuation of Filipinos from Lebanon, citing the need to arrange chartered flights instead of awaiting available commercial flights.
A migrant workers' organizations locally and in the Middle East has echoed the same call of urgent evacuation of Filipinos from Lebanon, citing the need to arrange chartered flights instead of awaiting available commercial flights.
According to DMW, the anticipated arrival of 290 Filipinos today will bring the total of repatriated OFWs to 903 and evacuated dependents to 47 since October 2023.
According to DMW, the anticipated arrival of 290 Filipinos today will bring the total of repatriated OFWs to 903 and evacuated dependents to 47 since October 2023.
Meanwhile, the 69 Filipinos staying in Beirut shelters are receiving food and support from MWO.
Meanwhile, the 69 Filipinos staying in Beirut shelters are receiving food and support from MWO.
“We stand ready to assist those who are willing to be repatriated. We are encouraging OFWs to avail of the voluntary repatriation program. And sa pag-uwi nila, a whole-of-government approach ang nakahanda, as directed by the President, with unprecedented financial assistance and other forms of support," Cacdac added.
“We stand ready to assist those who are willing to be repatriated. We are encouraging OFWs to avail of the voluntary repatriation program. And sa pag-uwi nila, a whole-of-government approach ang nakahanda, as directed by the President, with unprecedented financial assistance and other forms of support," Cacdac added.
Through DMW's AKSYON Fund, the department will provide a financial aid of P75,000 to all repatriates, aside from additional P75,000 from the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) and P20,000 from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).
Through DMW's AKSYON Fund, the department will provide a financial aid of P75,000 to all repatriates, aside from additional P75,000 from the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) and P20,000 from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).
The DOH, on its part, will provide free medical consultation and psychological first aid to repatriates.
The DOH, on its part, will provide free medical consultation and psychological first aid to repatriates.
The DMW will also help them establish livelihood and search opportunities through its National Reintegration Center for OFWs.
The DMW will also help them establish livelihood and search opportunities through its National Reintegration Center for OFWs.
Under Alert Level 3, repatriation is a voluntary choice for Filipinos.
Under Alert Level 3, repatriation is a voluntary choice for Filipinos.
Cacdac previously bared that out of 514 Filipinos who volunteered to be repatriated, 264 already have plane tickets, while another 250 are waiting for the release of their exit clearances from the Lebanese government.
Cacdac previously bared that out of 514 Filipinos who volunteered to be repatriated, 264 already have plane tickets, while another 250 are waiting for the release of their exit clearances from the Lebanese government.
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Trump says Zelensky and Putin must 'get together'
Trump says Zelensky and Putin must 'get together'
Agence France-Presse
Published Feb 22, 2025 05:11 PM PHT
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US President Donald Trump said on Friday that Ukraine's Volodymyr Zelensky and Russia's Vladimir Putin will have to "get together" to end the war between Moscow and Kyiv.
US President Donald Trump said on Friday that Ukraine's Volodymyr Zelensky and Russia's Vladimir Putin will have to "get together" to end the war between Moscow and Kyiv.
Trump's comments marked a shift from criticizing Zelensky as a "dictator," after the Ukrainian president complained that his country -- invaded by Russia in 2022 -- had been left out of talks between US and Russian officials.
Trump's comments marked a shift from criticizing Zelensky as a "dictator," after the Ukrainian president complained that his country -- invaded by Russia in 2022 -- had been left out of talks between US and Russian officials.
"President Putin and President Zelensky are going to have to get together. Because you know what? We want to stop killing millions of people," Trump told reporters in the Oval Office.
"President Putin and President Zelensky are going to have to get together. Because you know what? We want to stop killing millions of people," Trump told reporters in the Oval Office.
Trump added Kyiv would "hopefully in the next fairly short period of time" sign a deal handing Washington preferential access to Ukraine's mineral deposits.
Trump added Kyiv would "hopefully in the next fairly short period of time" sign a deal handing Washington preferential access to Ukraine's mineral deposits.
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"They're very brave, in every way you can imagine. But we are spending our treasure on some country that's very, very far away," Trump said of Ukraine.
"They're very brave, in every way you can imagine. But we are spending our treasure on some country that's very, very far away," Trump said of Ukraine.
Trump wants Ukraine to give US companies access to its vast natural resources as compensation for the tens of billions of dollars of aid delivered under his predecessor Joe Biden.
Trump wants Ukraine to give US companies access to its vast natural resources as compensation for the tens of billions of dollars of aid delivered under his predecessor Joe Biden.
In return, Ukraine is seeking security guarantees from the United States for signing away the precious rights.
In return, Ukraine is seeking security guarantees from the United States for signing away the precious rights.
Zelensky -- who had rejected the agreement -- said Friday he hoped for a "fair result."
Zelensky -- who had rejected the agreement -- said Friday he hoped for a "fair result."
- Trump: Ukraine has no 'cards' -
The minerals deal has become a major sticking point in the increasingly fraught relations between Washington and Kyiv.
The minerals deal has become a major sticking point in the increasingly fraught relations between Washington and Kyiv.
In a public spat, Trump this week called Zelensky a "dictator without elections" and falsely blamed Ukraine for starting the war.
In a public spat, Trump this week called Zelensky a "dictator without elections" and falsely blamed Ukraine for starting the war.
Earlier Friday, Trump described Ukraine as at a disadvantage in the negotiations -- further alarming allies who think he will offer concessions to Putin.
Earlier Friday, Trump described Ukraine as at a disadvantage in the negotiations -- further alarming allies who think he will offer concessions to Putin.
"I've had very good talks with Putin, and I've had not such good talks with Ukraine. They don't have any cards," Trump said at the White House.
"I've had very good talks with Putin, and I've had not such good talks with Ukraine. They don't have any cards," Trump said at the White House.
His call for Zelensky and Putin to work together came despite him saying in a Fox News interview that it was not "very important" for Zelensky to be involved in US-Russia talks.
His call for Zelensky and Putin to work together came despite him saying in a Fox News interview that it was not "very important" for Zelensky to be involved in US-Russia talks.
Trump again declined to blame Russia for the February 2022 invasion, saying that Putin "attacked but they shouldn't have let him attack."
Trump again declined to blame Russia for the February 2022 invasion, saying that Putin "attacked but they shouldn't have let him attack."
The US president added that Putin -- the Russian strongman for whom he has repeatedly expressed admiration -- faced no pressure to make a deal.
The US president added that Putin -- the Russian strongman for whom he has repeatedly expressed admiration -- faced no pressure to make a deal.
"He doesn't have to make a deal, because if he wanted, he'd get the whole country," Trump said.
"He doesn't have to make a deal, because if he wanted, he'd get the whole country," Trump said.
French President Emmanuel Macron and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer -- who are both due at the White House next week for potentially tricky discussions -- have been accused by Trump of doing nothing to end the war.
French President Emmanuel Macron and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer -- who are both due at the White House next week for potentially tricky discussions -- have been accused by Trump of doing nothing to end the war.
Macron said Friday he will tell Trump that "you can't be weak with President Putin."
Macron said Friday he will tell Trump that "you can't be weak with President Putin."
- Europe 'must do more' -
On the ground, both sides in the war are trying to improve their position on the battlefield amid Trump's push for a ceasefire.
On the ground, both sides in the war are trying to improve their position on the battlefield amid Trump's push for a ceasefire.
Russia's army on Friday said it had captured two more villages in eastern Ukraine.
Russia's army on Friday said it had captured two more villages in eastern Ukraine.
With Europe shaken by the new US stance on the conflict, Ukraine got renewed support from German Chancellor Olaf Scholz.
With Europe shaken by the new US stance on the conflict, Ukraine got renewed support from German Chancellor Olaf Scholz.
"We won't leave Ukraine alone and decide things over their heads," he said Friday at his last major campaign event before weekend elections.
"We won't leave Ukraine alone and decide things over their heads," he said Friday at his last major campaign event before weekend elections.
After speaking to Scholz and other regional leaders, Zelensky said in his televised evening address that "Europe must and can do much more to ensure that peace is actually achieved" in Ukraine.
After speaking to Scholz and other regional leaders, Zelensky said in his televised evening address that "Europe must and can do much more to ensure that peace is actually achieved" in Ukraine.
On the diplomatic front, the United States proposed Friday a resolution at the United Nations that omitted any mention of Kyiv's territory occupied by Russia.
On the diplomatic front, the United States proposed Friday a resolution at the United Nations that omitted any mention of Kyiv's territory occupied by Russia.
Washington's text, seen by AFP, calls for a "swift end to the conflict" without mentioning Kyiv's territorial integrity, and was welcomed by Moscow's ambassador to the UN Vassily Nebenzia as "a good move."
Washington's text, seen by AFP, calls for a "swift end to the conflict" without mentioning Kyiv's territorial integrity, and was welcomed by Moscow's ambassador to the UN Vassily Nebenzia as "a good move."
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