DMW: 162 Pinoys from Kuwait to be repatriated in coming days

The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) on Sunday said 162 Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) will return to the Philippines in the coming days following a drone strike at the Kuwait International Airport on June 3.

In a press briefing, DMW Secretary Hans Cacdac said that although the number of Filipinos seeking repatriation has declined since the escalation of the conflict in the Middle East, some still want to return to the Philippines due to the recent attacks.

“Medyo humupa na kasi yung request for repatriation. However, if you’re looking at Kuwait, kung saan nagkaroon ng recent missile drone attacks, may mga request for repatriation kaya ang susunod na batch in the coming days is 162 from Kuwait,” Cacdac said.

He added the Filipinos being repatriated will cross from Kuwait to Saudi Arabia before boarding a Philippine-bound plane.

According to Kuwaiti state media, three OFWs were among the 60 people who were wounded in the drone strike in Kuwait.

DMW reported that two of the affected OFWs received medical treatment for smoke inhalation, while another underwent treatment for hand and head injuries that required stitches.

“All three have been visited by our Migrant Workers Office and the OWWA. One of them was hospitalized but has been released, and two received outpatient treatments and were also released from the hospital and are recovering,” Cacdac said.

According to Cacdac, 10,178 Filipinos have returned to the country due to the Middle East conflict under the government-funded repatriation program.

Of the total numbers, 8,034 are OFWs and 1,782 are their dependents.

DMW has warned the public against illegal recruiters, traffickers, and syndicates offering job opportunities in the Middle East that may expose workers to undocumented, unsafe, or exploitative conditions abroad.

It called on the public to immediately report suspicious individuals, agencies, online pages, or recruitment offers to the DMW’s Migrant Workers Protection Bureau in Mandaluyong City.

The public may also reach out to DMW through their hotline no.(87210619) or email (airtipinfo@dmw.gov.ph). —RF, GMA News