The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) released a statement yesterday reporting 109 undocumented Filipinos have been repatriated from the United Arab Emirates as part of the middle eastern nation’s ongoing amnesty program.

The program, which runs until October 31, allows those who entered the country illegally to exit without any fines but will be penalized with a two-year entry ban. It also allows for those who have overstayed their visas to leave the country without paying any fines or, for those currently employed, apply for a new visa.

According to DFA Undersecretary for Migrant Workers Affairs Sarah Lou Y. Arriola, the department’s shouldering of any penalties, along with providing airline tickets, “demonstrates the kind of care and compassion [President Rodrigo Duterte] has for our overseas workers.”

Last week, the department reported 729 undocumented Filipinos had returned home.

While the program runs until October 31, cases reported after July 31 are not considered./WDJ