50 more OFWs repatriated from Saudi Arabia

Another 50 overseas Filipinos workers (OFWs) from Saudi Arabia arrived Tuesday at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) in the Philippines amid heightened tensions in the Middle East.

The Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) said a total of 84 Filipinos have been recently repatriated, including the 34 OFWs who arrived on Monday, October 19.

Before arriving at the NAIA Terminal 3 via Qatar Airways Flight QR934, the 50 Filipinos traveled from Al Qassim to Riyadh for three to four days.

"Humanap tayo ng alternatibong ruta at sinamahan sila ng ating mga Welfare Officer sa biyahe mula Riyadh. Pagdating dito, tuloy ang ating pag-alalay upang makauwi sila nang maayos sa kanilang mga pamilya," OWWA administrator Patricia Yvonne Caunan said.

(We looked for alternative routes to bring them home. Our welfare officers accompanied them from Riyadh. Upon arriving in the Philippines, we assisted them in returning to their respective families.)

The OFWs were accompanied by OWWA welfare officers who facilitated their travel arrangements.

Upon arrival, the OFWs received airport assistance, transportation, temporary accommodation, and domestic flight assistance.

OWWA said the agency is arranging the repatriation of about 300 OFWs in coordination with the Philippine Embassy in Riyadh and Migrant Workers Office in Saudi Arabia.

The repatriation of OFWs is funded under OWWA's supplemental emergency repatriation fund.

The agency earlier said the repatriation efforts followed the cancellation of flights between Riyadh and Manila by airlines amid ongoing tensions between Saudi Arabia and Yemen-based Houthi rebels.

On Monday, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said seven OFWs were wounded in Saudi Arabia, three of whom were in critical condition.

The attacks occurred on King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh on October 10, reportedly killing at least 12 people and wounding more than 300 others. — VDV, GMA News