299 Filipinos evacuated safely from Middle East
299 Filipinos, including 23 OFWs, have safely returned to the Philippines from the Middle East, evacuated due to rising tensions in the region.
On March 5, 2026, the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) successfully repatriated 299 Filipinos from Dubai, United Arab Emirates, amid escalating tensions in the Middle East. The group arrived at Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3 via Emirates Airlines Flight EK 336, which departed Dubai International Airport at 6:07 PM UAE time on March 4 and landed in Manila around 2:00 AM UAE time on March 5. The passengers included 23 overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) with 2 children, while others were advised by employers to return for safety reasons, had completed contracts, or returned for personal decisions to relocate permanently.
DMW Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac personally welcomed the returnees at the airport, stating in his official statement: "We are grateful that you have all returned safely. We also extend our gratitude to the Emirates and the UAE government for looking after you and arranging your flight to Manila as we extend our support." He added, "Sa ngalan ng ating Pangulong Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr, welcome home po. We are thankful that you are all safe." The repatriation occurred against the backdrop of heightened regional tensions following U.S.-Israel strikes on Iran's nuclear facilities on February 28, 2026, which prompted Iranian missile retaliation targeting U.S. bases in Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, and UAE.
Upon arrival, the repatriates received comprehensive government assistance including financial aid from the DMW's AKSYON Fund for OFWs in need, accommodation and transportation support from the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA), medical assistance from the Department of Health, and psychosocial support from the Department of Social Welfare and Development. This coordinated response demonstrated the Philippine government's preparedness for potential mass evacuations of its approximately 2.2-2.5 million OFWs in the Middle East region.
The repatriation was part of broader government contingency planning, with the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on standby for humanitarian support if needed. While over 1,000 OFWs have expressed interest in repatriation, including 231 from Dubai, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has not ordered mandatory repatriation, instead urging Filipinos in the region to shelter in place due to risks like friendly fire in active combat zones. The DMW coordinated closely with UAE authorities, Emirates Airlines, and the Philippine consulate in Dubai to ensure welfare checks and provision of essentials like food and water while passengers awaited flights.
This evacuation represents the first batch of Filipinos returning from the Middle East amid the current crisis, with the government maintaining readiness for potential mass evacuation operations should hostilities worsen. The successful repatriation demonstrates the Philippine government's capability to execute coordinated evacuation operations while balancing the safety concerns of its citizens abroad with the practical challenges of large-scale evacuations during active regional conflicts.
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