PH gov't verifying reports of Filipinos arrested for sharing attack videos in Dubai

The Philippine Embassy in Abu Dhabi and the Consulate General in Dubai are verifying reports that Filipino nationals may have been among those arrested for sharing online content related to recent attacks and air defense interceptions in Dubai.

In a statement on Sunday, the embassy said the Philippine government has sought official confirmation and details from local authorities regarding the identity, status, and legal circumstances of any Filipinos involved.

“The Philippine Embassy and Consulate General fully respect the sovereignty of the United Arab Emirates and its right to enforce its national security, cybercrime, and public order laws,” the statement read.

Filipinos were reminded to respect local laws, customs, and security protocols, and to “exercise utmost caution and responsibility in their use of social media and messaging platforms.”

The embassy advised citizens to refrain from recording, posting, forwarding, or commenting on unverified or sensitive security-related content and to avoid spreading rumors or speculative information.

Filipinos were also urged to rely only on official UAE announcements and credible news sources for information on ongoing security situations.

The UAE prohibits the sharing of misleading or fabricated security-related content—including videos of air defense interceptions, attacks on landmarks, or AI-generated false footage—which is a criminal offense punishable by imprisonment and substantial fines.

Earlier, the Philippine Consulate in Dubai said at least 480 Filipinos in the Middle East are set to be repatriated amid escalating tensions between Iran, the United States, and Israel.

The conflict in the region intensified after the US and Israel launched coordinated attacks on Iran on February 28, prompting the Philippine government to initiate repatriation efforts for Filipinos in affected areas.

According to the Department of Migrant Workers, a total of 1,022 overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) and 293 dependents were repatriated from March 5 to 14 amid the Middle East conflict.

—MCG, GMA Integrated News