MANILA: Amid the tensions in the Middle East, 299 Filipinos were repatriated and arrived in Pasay City early Thursday (March 5) morning, the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) said.
DMW Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac and agency personnel welcomed the Filipinos when they arrived at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport – Terminal 3 aboard Emirates Airlines flight 336, which departed from Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE).
“Some of them are returning to the Philippines for their safety and security as advised by their employers. Some are OFWs who finished their contract, and some are returning home for good and personal reasons,” the DMW said in a statement.
Upon landing, the returning Filipinos gave financial assistance from the DMW ‘Agarang Kalinga at Saklolo para sa mga OFW na Nangangailangan (Aksyon)’ fund.
For its part, the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration provided accommodation and transportation services.
Meanwhile, medical and psychosocial support were also available from the Department of Health and the Department of Social Welfare and Development.
“On behalf of our President Ferdinand Marcos Jr, welcome home. We are thankful that you are all safe,” Cacdac noted.
“Also, we are very thankful to Emirates, to the UAE government for taking care of you, for preparing the flight to Manila as we provide support,” he added.
Tensions rose in the Gulf once again after the United States and Israel on Saturday jointly struck Iran, citing dangers of the latter’s nuclear programme.
This occurred despite “substantial progress” between US and Iran’s peace deal, mediated by Oman, Omani Foreign Minister Badr Albusaidi told foreign press, CBS News.
In retaliation, Iran sent missiles to US bases in Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar and the UAE.
Since the conflict, the DMW has reported two Filipino casualties – one was a caregiver who died in Israel saving her patient, while the other was injured in Kuwait, but has since been reported to be safe. - Philippine Daily Inquirer/ANN
