Over 200 Pinoys repatriated from Dubai amid Middle East conflict — DMW

The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) on Friday reported the arrival of over 200 Filipinos repatriated from Dubai, coming home onboard separate flights as tensions continue in the Middle East.

The first batch was made up of 129 Filipinos, who landed at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport past 9 p.m. Thursday. They were comprised of 93 overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) and 36 dependents.

On the other hand, the second batch had 80 Filipinos who came in early morning Friday. Of this number, 63 were OFWs and 17 were their dependents.

The repatriates were welcomed by government personnel from the DMW, Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA), Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), and the Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA), among others.

"Agad silang nabigyan ng tulong pinansiyal, medikal, pagkain, pansamantalang matutuluyan, at transportasyon pauwi sa kanilang mga probinsya," the DMW said on Facebook.

(Upon their arrival in the country, they were immediately provided with financial and medical assistance. They were also given temporary shelters, and transportation services to their respective provinces.)

"Bukod dito, ipinatutupad din ng pamahalaan ang post-repatriation programs kabilang ang job placement, skills training, at livelihood assistance upang matulungan ang mga nakauwi na makabangon at makapagsimula muli, sa Pilipinas man o sa ibang bansa," it said.

(Apart from this, the government will also extend post-repatriation programs including job placement, skills training, livelihood assistance to help them reintegrate here in the Philippines or in other countries.)

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, at least two Filipinos have 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. — VDV, GMA News