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DFA ASSISTS IN VOLUNTARY REPATRIATION OF THREE FILIPINO-IRAQI FAMILIES
31 August 2005 – The Department of Foreign Affairs with the assistance of the Philippine Embassy in Baghdad, Iraq has provided assistance for the voluntary repatriation to the Philippines of three Filipino wives of Iraqi nationals and their Filipino-Iraqi children because of their well-founded fear for their safety.
Charge d’ Affaires (CDA) Ricardo Endaya of the Philippine Embassy, Baghdad said the Embassy assisted in the repatriation of the following Filipino-Iraqi families :
Arrived at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) on Tuesday, 02 August 2005:1) Ms. Ursula T. Pablo, married to Saad Saleh Mohammad Jawad; and her two childrenand
2) Saoud Saad Saleh, 16 year old son; and
3) Suad Saad Saleh, 17 year old daughter;4) Ms. Aurora G. Selmo, married to Ibrahem Hassan Ali; and her three children
5) Fatima Ibrahem Hassan, 13 year old daughter;
6) Ahmad Ibrahem Hassan, 12 year old son; and
7) Haneen Ibrahem Hassan 10 year old daughter.
Arrived at NAIA on Thursday, 04 August 2005:CDA Endaya said the three Filipino-Iraqi families stayed inside the Embassy in Baghdad until the day of their departure for Manila. They were met by Overseas Workers Welfare Administration representatives upon arrival at the NAIA.8) Ms. Farida Camlian, married to Ahmad Abdul Jabbar Ahmad; and her three children
9) Fraila Ahmad, 20 year old daughter;
10) Abdul Jabbar Ahmad, 15 year old son; and
11) Hiba Ahmad, 13 year old daughter.
CDA Endaya also said that three more Filipino-Iraqi children of Farida namely, Shabab Ahmad, 18 year old son; Firial Ahmad, 17 year old son and Abdul Rahman, 12 year old son will arrive at NAIA next month. Ahmad Abdul, the father of the minors, went to the Embassy to arrange for the repatriation of the minors. Ahmad explained to CDA Endaya that the three minors were unable to join their mother and other siblings to their trip to Manila earlier this month because they had to take final examinations at their schools.
The father also confirmed to CDA Endaya that: “It is already extremely dangerous for my wife and children to continue staying in Baghdad, particularly in Doura district where we live which is now an insurgent stronghold. Insurgents in Doura are reportedly targeting foreigners or children of foreign parents.”
CDA Endaya informed the Department that “the three Filipino-Iraqi families never availed of the government’s offer of repatriation on the eve of US military action on 20 March 2003 and chose to stay in Baghdad” He added that: “The Embassy continues to extend all possible assistance to the children of Ms. Camlian and other Filipinos in Iraq to ensure their safety. I likewise call on all Filipinos who are still in Iraq to avail the voluntary repatriation program of the government.”
The Department, through the Assistance to Nationals Fund, shouldered the one-way return ticket via Baghdad-Amman-Manila amounting to US$ 1,000 for each of the repatriates.
Earlier, Foreign Affairs Secretary
Alberto G. Romulo instructed CDA Endaya to fly to Baghdad to assist in
the repatriation of the remains of OFW Federico Samson, who was killed
in roadside blast by an improvised explosive device (IED) last 24 August
2005 at an area between Tikrit and Baqubah near Kirkuk. The
Department has temporarily relocated to Jordan the officers and staff of
the Philippine Embassy in Iraq in view of the present danger in that country.
END