Nearly 300 Stranded OFWs From the Middle East Just Landed in Manila — Welcome Home
The first batch of 299 repatriated Filipinos, including infants and children, arrived at NAIA Terminal 3 from Dubai as the Middle East conflict forces evacuations.
They're finally home. The first batch of nearly 300 Filipinos stranded in the Middle East touched down at Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3 early Thursday morning, marking the beginning of what's expected to be a massive repatriation effort.
The Emirates flight EK336 from Dubai landed at 6:45 a.m., carrying 299 repatriates that included overseas workers, tourists, and other travelers who got caught up in the chaos when fighting erupted following an Israeli-US attack on Iran. Among those on board were infants and children — a reminder that it's not just workers who get displaced when conflicts explode.
Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac personally led the government welcoming party at the airport, along with other officials. Presidential Communications Secretary Dave Gomez confirmed that the passenger manifest was a mix of repatriated Filipinos and other affected travelers trying to get home.
The repatriation comes as the Marcos administration scrambles to protect the millions of OFWs deployed across the Middle East. The region has been a lifeline for Filipino families for decades — but it's also a constant source of anxiety whenever geopolitical tensions flare up. And this time, the situation is serious enough to trigger actual evacuations.
More flights are expected in the coming days as the government coordinates with airlines and Philippine embassies across the region. For now, the 299 who made it home can finally breathe easy. Mabuhay kayo — and welcome back.
Source: The Manila Times
