More than 100 Filipinos in Dubai have expressed their intention to return to the Philippines as tensions escalate in the Middle East, the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) said Monday. DMW Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac said that while repatriation flights cannot yet proceed due to the continued closure of Dubai’s airspace, the government has already moved those seeking evacuation to safer areas. “Those who requested repatriation have been transported to safer ground,” Cacdac said during a Palace briefing. In the meantime, the DMW is providing food, water, and other essential supplies to affected Filipinos while waiting for exit points to open or for airport operations to resume. Around 80 to 100 overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in Dubai have expressed a desire to return to the Philippines amid ongoing regional tensions in the Middle East. In a Palace briefing, Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac said authorities have been providing on-the-ground support while awaiting opportunities for safe repatriation as airspace remains closed. “Sa ngayon, dahil nga hindi posible, we have transported some of them to safer grounds, so in-country ang assistance,” Cacdac said. However, the government is fully prepared should the situation worsen, with contingency plans that include possible evacuation by air, sea, or land using both public and private sector resources. The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) earlier reported that approximately 2.5 million Filipinos are based in the Middle East, most of them in the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar, while around 800 are in Iran. The Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) has placed the UAE, Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait, and Israel under Alert Level 2, which automatically triggers a deployment ban for newly hired overseas Filipino workers (OFWs). Most of the 80 stayed with their respective flatmates, with their respective places of residence doon sa Dubai.” He added that the government is ensuring that basic needs such as food, water, and shelter are met. “At an appropriate time, magkakaroon ng opportunity, with the exit points designated o kung hindi man ay magbukas ang airport sa Dubai at alam natin na pina-plano rin ito, magkakaroon ng pagkakataon to repatriate them,” Cacdac said. He added that 52 OFWs in Israel have also requested repatriation assistance, while others in Bahrain and Qatar have expressed the same need, although exact numbers were not mentioned. “At this stage, merong difficulty in terms of transporting them by air, so we’re finding better ways, but hindi ko ma-disclose yung means na ito for security reasons.” Lebanon is under Alert Level 3, allowing voluntary repatriation, while Jordan remains at Alert Level 1. Under Alert Level 2, Filipinos are advised to restrict non-essential movements, avoid protests and large gatherings, and prepare for possible evacuation. Mandatory repatriation will only be implemented if Alert Level 4 is declared. Meanwhile, the DMW is also assisting the family of Filipina caregiver Mary Ann Velasquez De Vera, who was killed in an Iranian airstrike in Tel Aviv. Authorities are also coordinating with host governments to ensure that once travel restrictions are lifted, repatriation can be carried out smoothly. Despite the growing tensions, Cacdac clarified that there is no mass repatriation in the Middle East at this time. The government will provide financial and burial assistance and facilitate the repatriation of her remains. Malacañang said President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. is closely monitoring developments and has directed concerned agencies to extend all necessary assistance to Filipinos affected by the conflict. “Rest assured, we are doing this,” he added. DMW’s central hotline, 1348, or (+632) 1348 for overseas calls, is available for OFWs needing assistance. OFWs are also encouraged to contact local offices and the official social media pages of the Migrant Workers Office, Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA), and the Philippine Embassy in their area for direct support. “Paglikas from one place to another, for some of the 80.”
