DMW: Over 7,400 OFWs, dependents returned to PH amid Middle East conflict

More than 7,400 overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) and their dependents have returned to the Philippines amid the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) said Thursday.

Based on the DMW's latest bulletin, a total of 7,408 migrant Filipinos were repatriated or assisted by the government in returning to the country from March 5 to April 23, 2026. 

Of the figure, a total of 6,785 returnees were state-funded and were comprised of 5,049 OFWs and 1,376 dependents.

The DMW said the total figures included the latest batch of repatriates who arrived in Manila onboard three commercial flights on Thursday. They were composed of 212 OFWs and 16 dependents.

"Agad silang nabigyan ng tulong pinansyal, transportasyon, pansamantalang matutuluyan, at reintegration support sa ilalim ng National Reintegration Network," the DMW said.

(They were immediately provided with financial, transportation, temporary shelter and reintegration support under the National Reintegration Network.)

Tensions in the Middle East escalated following the joint military operations launched by the United States and Israel against Iran on February 28. As of April 7, a total of two Filipinos died from the conflict.

Over 2.4 million Filipinos are in the Middle East as of March 1, 2026, according to data gathered by GMA News Research. Bulk of these Filipinos are in the UAE and Saudi Arabia, with populations of 975,000 and 813,000, respectively.

Back from Saudi

Meanwhile, the department said 15 distressed workers and one dependent returned home on Thursday morning from Riyadh, Saudi Arabia amid the armed conflict.

The DMW said they received financial assistance and psychosocial counseling upon their arrival.

— VDV, GMA News