MANILA: There is no deployment ban on Filipino workers bound for Saudi Arabia despite an attack at the King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Cacdac said on Monday (Oct 12).
However, Cacdac advised Filipinos to avoid unnecessary travel to Saudi Arabia amid the situation, which has left several Filipinos stranded.
Asked whether the government would impose a deployment ban, Cacdac said there was no need for such a measure.
“Economic life continues within the Kingdom, and what we’re seeing here is that the attacks are targeted,” he responded.
“The Kingdom has kept Filipinos safe not just since Feb. 28, but we’re talking decades of protection afforded by the Kingdom to Filipino workers in Saudi,” he continued, referring to the start of the Middle East conflict.
Cacdac also advised Filipinos in Saudi Arabia to exercise caution when posting unverified information about the incident online, noting that the country has strict laws against spreading fake news.
The attack on Saturday killed at least 12 people and injured more than 300 others, according to Saudi civil aviation officials. A diplomatic source attributed the attack to a missile fired by Yemen-backed Houthi rebels.
The airport suspended operations on Saturday following the incident.
Assistance continues
Meanwhile, one of the four Filipinos injured in the attack has been discharged from the hospital, while the other three remain in the intensive care unit.
Cacdac said the government is assisting 94 overseas Filipino workers who were initially scheduled to travel from Manila to Riyadh but were diverted to Jeddah following the attack.
Another 37 Filipinos in Manila whose flights to Riyadh were canceled have received transportation and accommodation assistance from the government.
In Riyadh, Cacdac said 30 Filipinos remain stranded. Of these, 20 are staying in government-sponsored hotels, eight are staying with relatives or employers, and two are seafarers in transit.
Cacdac assured the public that the government has sufficient funds to assist Filipinos in Riyadh. - Philippine Daily Inquirer/ANN
