A total of 317 Filipinos from Beirut, Lebanon returned safely to the Philippines Saturday following the order of President Duterte amid the threat of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Office of the President (OP) announced.
In a statement, the OP said they and the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) have successfully concluded the twin repatriation and goodwill missions to Lebanon with 317 Filipinos repatriated via a special chartered flight from Beirut to Manila.
The two-day marathon mission included a ceremonial turnover and delivery of food supplies for the Filipino community in Lebanon through the Philippine Embassy in Beirut, a ceremonial turnover and delivery of medical supplies to the Lebanese Red Cross, the Rafiq Hariri University Hospital, the Beirut General Hospital, and Lebanese NGO KAFA from the Philippine private sector, and a meeting with Filipino community leaders and members.
“The twin missions demonstrate the continuing commitment of the Philippine government to assist Filipinos who wish to return home as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and other challenges, as well as the solidarity of the Filipino nation with the Lebanese people,” the OP said. (Argyll Geducos)
