Gov’t repatriates over 300 Pinoys from Saudi Arabia amid COVID crisis

By Prince Golez

A total of 347 distressed overseas Filipinos (OFs), including five children, were repatriated from Saudi Arabia on Saturday.

This, after President Rodrigo Duterte sent Presidential Assistant on Foreign Affairs Robert Borje to the kingdom for an official visit aimed at enhancing the countries’ bilateral ties and advancing labor reform cooperation.

“Thank you to our Embassy in Riyadh, Consulate General in Jeddah, the Department of Foreign Affairs and the government of Saudi Arabia. This repatriation required a lot of work and coordination given the pandemic situation,” said Borje.

“But with the Filipino at the center of all efforts, this repatriation mission was a success. On behalf of President Duterte, Maraming Salamat at Shukran!,” the special envoy added.

The repatriates flew home via a Philippine Airlines chartered flight as part of the Philippine government’s repatriation mission from Saudi Arabia, which is anchored on Duterte’s promise to care for OFs around the world, particularly with the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic.

Upon arrival in Manila, the distressed OFs will receive cash assistance from the government.

Borje also expressed gratitude to His Majesty King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, and His Royal Highness Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud for making the repatriation possible.

As of June 18, a total of 403,234 OFs had been repatriated by the government since the start of the pandemic.

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Source: Latest Politics News Today (Politics.com.ph)