PH Embassy Facilitates Successful Border Crossing of Illegally Trafficked OFW from the West Bank

01 August 2024- The Embassy of the Philippines in the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan successfully provided border assistance to a distressed OFW who was illegally trafficked in the West Bank, Palestine on 01 August 2024.

The Philippine Embassy in Amman made appropriate representations to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates as well as the Jordanian Border and Residence Directorate to facilitate her transit to Jordan. The OFW was met personally by Ambassador Wilfredo C. Santos, Madame Geraldine C. Lucero-Santos, Second Secretary Michael Ragnar G. Supeña, Labor Attaché Armi Peña, and Embassy and Migrant Workers Office - Jordan (MWO-Jordan) officials and personnel at the King Hussein border where the OFW was given the appropriate assistance and transit visa. The OFW was then temporarily housed at the MWO Shelter while awaiting for her scheduled flight to the Philippines.

The OFW requested her repatriation to the Philippines last August 2023. She was misled into believing that she would be working in Israel but was instead brought to Ramallah, West Bank in Palestine. The OFW was one of the Filipinos in the West Bank whom the Embassy and the MWO-Jordan tried to repatriate last year following the start of conflict between the Hamas and Israel.

The Embassy and its attached agencies closely coordinated with the relevant Jordanian and Palestinian authorities to ensure the safety and welfare of the distressed OFW. The successful and extraordinary repatriation of the OFW was accomplished through the collective efforts of the Embassy and its attached agencies working under the One Country Team Approach with the guidance and leadership of Ambassador Santos.

Filipinos in the West Bank who may need assistance may contact the Embassy through ATN Hotlines at +962 77 798 8818, +962 77 907 7778, +962 77 721 9000, +962 77 907 7775 and +962 6 590 1730 for consular assistance. END

For more information, visit www.ammanpe.dfa.gov.ph, https://www.facebook.com/PHLinJordan/, or https://www.instagram.com/phinjordan/