DFA repatriates 175 more Pinoys under Kuwait amnesty

KUWAIT - The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) repatriated 175 more Filipinos yesterday under the amnesty program extended by the Kuwaiti government to the Philippines.

They will arrive at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport on board Qatar Airways flight QR 934, with estimated time of arrival at 6:15 a.m. (Manila time) today, April 19.

Of the 175 repatriates, 18 are infants, DFA said.

On Monday, April 16, the Philippine Embassy bought more than 200 plane tickets for those who availed themselves the amnesty.

Raul Dado, executive director for DFA-Office of Migrant Workers Affairs, said only 191 of them arrived in Manila on Tuesday, nine did not show up, and one infant offloaded en route Kuwait International Airport.

Earlier, DFA Undersecretary Sarah Lou Arriola said the agency is pushing to repatriate all those who just recently registered at the amnesty program on or before April 22.

The registration period was originally set by the Philippine Embassy on April 12, who reasoned that processing of travel and exit documents takes no less than ten days to complete.

Philippine Ambassador to Kuwait Renato Villa said the Kuwaiti government just this week officially set the deadline for all application submission on April 19.

He said the crackdown would start on April 23.

A chance for a new life

For Mark and Aiza (not their real names), Kuwait's amnesty and the repatriation program of the Philippine government served as "sign" to start a new life.

Mark has been working as a bartender at the Gulf state for 17 years, until he got caught in a conflict with his sponsor, who allegedly framed him, in the past three years. During this period, he was left undocumented and at risk of arrest.

With the amnesty that served as a "sign" to start anew, Mark said he decided to come home.