Up to 244 overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) from Northern Mindanao have been repatriated after getting stranded due to the conflict in the Middle East, the Department of Migrant Workers-Northern Mindanao (DMW)-10 said.

DMW-10 Director, Emmanuel Toledo, said the agency intensified its coordination efforts since the tension in the Middle East began in February 2026 to ensure the safe return of Filipinos who got stranded.

Toledo cited some challenges in securing flight routes, including open airspace.

“Una, gi-identify nato asa pa ang pwede nga mga free pa ang ilang airspace nga makalupad ang eroplano. Duha ra gyud una ra ang Saudi arabia ug UAE pero katung nahitabo na nga grabe na ang UAE, didto ra gyud ta sa Saudi Arabia. Ang challenge gyud namo lisod kay mag-cross country ka man,” Toledo said.

DMW-10 adopted several approaches to address the needs or repatriates, including on-site assistance for stranded OFWs and Filipino tourists stuck at airports.

Many of the repatriates also underwent medical and mental health assessments after reportedly experiencing trauma.

“Pag-abot nila diri, naa man gyud ta’y usa ka area didto sa Villamor Airbase nga didto gyud sila, wala nato sila gisagol sa mga regular na mga passenger didto gyud nato sila gidala naa atong DSWD, DOH, tanan katung gi-ingon nato nga National Reintegration Import pananglitan naay mga trauma so naa ta’y mga taga DSWD ug DOH didto,” Toledo added.

Monitoring continues for Filipinos still in conflict-affected areas as the tension in the Middle East has not ended yet.