First batch of repatriation brings nearly 300 Filipinos home since Middle East war erupted

THE FIRST government-facilitated repatriation flight has safely arrived in Manila, the Palace said on Thursday, bringing nearly 300 overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) and travelers home since the Middle East war erupted.

Emirates flight EK336, which departed from Dubai International Airport, touched down at Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3 at 6:45 a.m., carrying 299 passengers, including infants, children, and other Filipinos temporarily stranded abroad.

Presidential Communications Acting Secretary Dave M. Gomez confirmed the manifest included both OFWs and other affected travelers seeking to return home amid the escalating war in the region.

Mr. Gomez said the flight departed Dubai at 9:55 p.m. Philippine time on Wednesday.

Authorities earlier said that emergency plans are still active to support Filipinos overseas, should the situation worsen, noting continued collaboration with government agencies and airline partners.

1,900 REQUESTS
Meanwhile, the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) said that it had received 1,900 repatriation requests from OFWs to return home.

“We have received 1,900 repatriation requests,” Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Leo J. Cacdac told a Senate hearing on Thursday.

He added that the DMW has implemented onsite services in airports to assist returning Filipino workers from the Middle East.

“With respect to OFWs, there are services available onsite until they return home,” Mr. Cacdac said.

Mr. Cacdac added that the agency had also designated specific hotels for Filipinos in case of attacks in their host countries. “We have designated hotels where we can house our fellow Filipinos who otherwise would not be able to access the host government’s shelters.”

The United States and Israel on Saturday conducted a coordinated military strike on Iran resulting in the destruction of Tehran’s assets and the death of its supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

In retaliation, Iran had launched several counter attacks against Israel and US bases located in Gulf states, including Iraq, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia.

Mr. Cacdac said that the agency has identified for alternate exit points, pick-up locations, and land border crossings to repatriate Filipinos amid the ongoing conflict in the region.

“We do have alternative options. If the airspace and airports are closed, we have a land transport option to cross the border from an affected country to a safer country, and from there, people can fly home,” he added, without providing specific locations due to security reasons.

He said that flights home for OFWs utilizing alternate routes will be through commercial or chartered flights, adding that the agency has been testing the alternate routes to make sure they are safe.

“We are dealing now with five countries, which we are coordinating to cross through their respective border points. We are monitoring and managing these logistical efforts,” he said.

There are an estimated 2.41 million Filipinos living in Middle Eastern countries. Most are stationed in the UAE with 975,000, followed by Saudi Arabia at 813,00, Qatar at 250,000, and Kuwait with 211,000. There are about 800 Filipinos in Iran and 31,000 in Israel, according to data from the DFA. — Erika Mae P. Sinaking and Adrian H. Halili