A fresh batch of Filipinos, including overseas Filipino workers and dependents, have safely arrived back in the Philippines amid ongoing US-Israel and Iran tensions in the Middle East.
On March 19, 2026, a new group of 317 Filipinos arrived safely at Villamor Airbase in Pasay City after being repatriated from the United Arab Emirates. This group included 153 overseas Filipino workers (OFWs), 114 dependents, and 50 stranded Filipinos. According to the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW), this marks the third charter flight repatriation amid escalating conflicts between the US-Israel coalition and Iran in the Middle East. DMW Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac Jr. noted that while there were procedural challenges related to security, timing, and coordination with host nations, the operations were conducted smoothly with attention to adequate flight capacity. President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. was scheduled to receive the returning Filipinos but was unable to attend due to his commitments at the Economy and Development Council Meeting discussing education, infrastructure, and development projects in Greater Marawi. Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Claire Castro stated that President Marcos ordered the plane to land at Villamor Airbase to ensure a comfortable and orderly immigration process to ease the burden on the repatriates. So far, a total of 2,099 OFWs and their dependents have been repatriated since the conflict escalated. The government is currently planning to repatriate at least 800 to 1,000 more and remains available for further requests through Migrant Workers Offices. Additionally, the Philippine government is coordinating with countries where four Filipinos were arrested for allegedly posting videos of airstrikes on social media.
Sources referenced:
- https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/balitambayan/pinoyabroad/980689/panibagong-grupo-ng-mga-pinoy-nakabalik-na-sa-pilipinas-sa-gitna-ng-sigalot-sa-middle-east/story/
