Jamaine Punzalan

Article (news)

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px;display:block" width="960"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1773364840555justin-lim-w048LF5WgOM-unsplash.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Justin Lim, Unsplash</span></span></span></div><div><br/></div><p>MANILA — Singapore has helped evacuate 24 Filipinos from the Middle East,  an ambassador said Friday as Iran continued attacks on oil-rich Gulf countries in response to US-Israeli strikes. </p><p>Singapore deployed a refueling aircraft to bring its citizens home from Jeddah on March 12, Singapore Ambassador to the Philippines Constance See said. </p><p>“After prioritising Singaporeans and their families, we were glad that available seats could be extended to nationals from other countries, including 24 Filipinos. The flight landed in Singapore on 13 March at 5.59am,” the envoy said. </p><p>“This was very much a partnership. We worked in close coordination with the Department of Foreign Affairs and the Philippine Consulate General in Jeddah, to facilitate the Filipinos who joined the flight,” she added. </p><p>The ambassador said “this is really ASEAN solidarity in action, neighbours helping neighbours in difficult moments.” </p><p>“Singapore and the Philippines are close friends, and we were very glad to help these Filipinos begin their journey home. At the end of the day, what matters most is that people return safely to their families,” she added. </p><p>The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) thanked Singapore “for this benevolent act, which exemplifies the ASEAN spirit of solidarity.”</p><p>It added that the Migrant Workers Office and the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration in Jeddah had facilitated the booking of the 24 Filipinos&#x27; flights to Manila and also extended financial assistance.</p><p>Countries worldwide have urged citizens to avoid the Middle East during the ongoing war against Iran, which has seen violence erupt across much of the region.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/3/6/dmw-sets-into-motion-repatriation-plans-for-ofws-in-middle-east-1507">DMW sets into motion repatriation plans for OFWs in Middle East</a></div><p>But closed airspace and airports meant thousands of people were struggling to find a way out, and flights have only partially resumed in recent days.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/3/11/first-batch-9-filipinos-from-iran-back-in-ph-amid-war-in-middle-east-1018">First batch: 9 Filipinos from Iran back in PH amid war in Middle East</a></div><p>US officials in particular came under fire for allegedly not giving citizens sufficient warning to avoid the Middle East in the days before launching the attacks on Iran.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/3/3/marco-middle-east-war-ofws-repatriation-1044">Marcos tells Filipinos seeking repatriation from Mideast war: ‘We will find ways to get you out’</a></div><div><strong>— With a report from Agence France-Presse </strong></div><div><iframe width="725" height="408" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/QNxwG8Ainqk" title="Hundreds of Filipinos repatriated from Middle East as war rages | ANC" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div>

<p>Singapore has helped evacuate 24 Filipinos from the Middle East, as Iran continued attacks on oil-rich Gulf countries in response to US-Israeli strikes.</p>

Singapore has helped evacuate 24 Filipinos from the Middle East, as Iran continued attacks on oil-rich Gulf countries in response to US-Israeli strikes.

Singapore helps evacuate 24 Filipinos from Middle East: envoy

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Singapore helps evacuate 24 Filipinos from Middle East: envoy

Jamaine Punzalan

Published Mar 13, 2026 09:24 AM PHT

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Updated Mar 13, 2026 11:22 AM PHT

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