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Stock image of aircraft cabin
Image by Michael Pointner from Pixabay
MANILA, Philippines — A total of 442 Filipinos from the United Arab Emirates arrived in the Philippines on Saturday afternoon, March 14, aboard a government-arranged charter flight as tensions continue to escalate in the Middle East.
The chartered flight landed shortly after noon at Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3 in Pasay City, according to the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW).
Among those on board was DMW chief Hans Leo Cacdac, who accompanied the returning Filipinos on the flight.
"We have landed. 442 Filipinos from the UAE on the PHL Government-chartered B747-400 flight as directed by President Bongbong Marcos are home," Cacdac in a Facebook post that included a video of him with the repatriates inside the aircraft.
The returning Filipinos, including more than 200 overseas Filipino workers, were welcomed at the airport by representatives from several government agencies led by the DMW.
Among those present were personnel from the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA), Department of Social Welfare and Development, Department of Health, Technical Education and Skills Development Authority and the Bureau of Immigration, who are providing post-repatriation assistance to the arrivals.
Government officials said the returning Filipinos will receive immediate assistance, including health checks, welfare support and reintegration services.
Another chartered flight carrying 341 overseas Filipino workers from Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Bahrain is expected to arrive in the Philippines on Sunday, according to OWWA.
Earlier, 24 Filipinos were also evacuated from Saudi Arabia with the assistance of Singapore.
The evacuation efforts come as tensions in the region continue to rise following airstrikes launched by the United States and Israel against Iran.
Iran has responded with attacks on Israel and US-allied states in the Gulf. These strikes have extended beyond military targets, hitting civilian sites and energy facilities.
The Department of Foreign Affairs estimates 2.4 million Filipinos live and work across the Middle East.
