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DMW: No need yet for mass or mandatory repatriations of OFWs from Middle East
There is no need yet for the Philippine government to implement a mass or mandatory repatriation of overseas Filipinos amid the conflict in the Middle East, the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) said on Sunday.
“Alam natin nirerepaso rin ng DFA (Department of Foreign Affairs) ‘yung mga alert levels. So wala pa tayo sa punto ng mass or mandatory repatriation,” DMW Secretary Hans Cacdac told reporters.
(We know that the DFA is also reviewing the alert levels. So, we are not yet at the point of mass or mandatory repatriation.)
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Mga overseas Filipino worker (OFWs) sa Gitnang Silangan, pinayuhan ni @DMWPHL Sec. @HansLeoCacdac, na manatiling kalmado at alerto, sa gitna ng tensiyon sa rehiyon. | via @dzbbsamnielsen pic.twitter.com/fePQlUTptM— DZBB Super Radyo (@dzbb) March 1, 2026
The United States and Israel launched joint military operations against Iran on Saturday, escalating tensions in the region.
The Israeli military said Iran retaliated with missile strikes toward Israel. The Pentagon has officially designated the American strikes as Operation Epic Fury.
Cacdac told reporters that they do not want to cause panic among OFWs in the Middle East.
“We definitely don’t want to sound grave alarm, we don’t want to send a message of panic amongst our OFWs. Ayaw natin silang lubos na kabahan,” the DMW Secretary said.
(We definitely don’t want to sound a grave alarm; we don’t want to send a message of panic among our OFWs. We don’t want them to be overly anxious.)
“They need to be careful of course, kaya’t may mga advisories nang ipinalabas ang emabahada at Migrant Workers Office natin to abide by host country rules, abide by protocols, alarms, and times in which you should be in a shelter.”
(They need to be careful of course, which is why our embassy and Migrant Workers Office have already released advisories to abide by the host country rules, protocols, alarms, and the times in which you should be in a shelter.)
“So sumunod sa batas, huwag makihalo sa mga political discussions or concerns lalo na sa social media.”
(So follow the law, and do not get involved in political discussions or concerns, especially on social media.)
Earlier, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said the government is closely monitoring the military escalation in the Middle East.
Vice President Sara Duterte Duterte also urged Filipinos in affected areas to secure their passports and other important documents and to be prepared for any eventuality.
The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) said the conflict in the Middle East poses no direct threat to the Philippines.
“... The tensions remain limited to the Middle East region, and there is no verified direct threat to Philippine territory or to Filipinos and foreign nationals within the country,” said AFP spokesperson Col. Francel Margareth Padilla.
Stranded
According to Darlene Cay’s report in “24 Oras Weekend,” there are over 2.4 million Filipinos in the Middle East affected by the ongoing tension.
An OFW in Qatar said he has been constantly receiving national emergency alerts on the airstrikes.
“My eldest daughter was really terrified… So we tried to explain to her. We held each other’s hands and prayed,” said Joel Balledo in Filipino.
In Manama, Bahrain, Edna Castillo also captured on video the loud blasts of the missile attacks.
“I was really nervous. As of now, I’m in good condition and I hope you won’t worry about me now,” she said in Filipino, addressing her family in the Philippines.
For his part, Randy is living near the US military base in Bahrain, which is one of the targets of the attacks. He said some of his fellow Filipino workers have already evacuated.
Meanwhile, there were 400 OFWs stranded at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminals 1 and 3. This was after more than 20 flights going to countries in the Middle East were cancelled.
Among them is domestic helper Ilyn Barranco, who was supposed to return to Bahrain after a month-long break in Bukidnon.
“When I went on vacation – I was on leave for one month – my mother passed away. Then, even before the 40 days were up, I was planning to return to Bahrain, but then this happened,” she said in Filipino.
She also expressed worry about her child, who is in Bahrain.
Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) administrator Patricia Yvonne Caunan assured that stranded OFWs can stay at the OFW Lounge at the airport and that food will be provided to them. — Vince Angelo Ferreras/JMA, GMA Integrated News
