Jauhn Etienne Villaruel

Filipinos and foreigners arrive and leave from the country through the NAIA airport in Manila on Jan. 13, 2017. Visitors and all other passort holders who enter into the country pass through the concourse of Terminal 1. Jonathan L. Cellona, ABS-CBN News

Article (news)

Chalssea Kate Echegoyen

Allison Co

ABS-CBN 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/1773804018108HDphyQMbEAY7yvb.jpeg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">The B777-300 plane departed from Manila this morning, with the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) officials Dominique Rubia-Tutay and Vennie Legaspi onboard to assist in the repatriation of overseas Filipinos. Courtesy of Sec. Hans Leo Cacdac/X</span></span></span></div><p>MANILA — The government dispatched early Wednesday its third chartered flight to bring home Filipinos from the Middle East, as part of its ongoing repatriation efforts amid escalating tensions in the region. </p><p>The B777-300 plane departed from Manila this morning, with the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) officials Dominique Rubia-Tutay and Vennie Legaspi onboard to assist in the repatriation of overseas Filipinos.</p><div><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/PnyaP9PtLuc?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span><br/></div><p>The latest mission follows two earlier flights that arrived over the weekend. The first landed last Saturday, while the second touched down Sunday morning.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/3/14/government-chartered-flight-for-repatriates-from-middle-east-lands-in-naia-1836">Government-chartered flight for repatriates from Middle East lands in NAIA</a></div><p>Migrant Workers Undersecretary Bernard Olalia said about 1,000 OFWs have so far been repatriated through government-arranged chartered flights. </p><p>“Nakapag-uwi na po tayo ng no less than 1,000 OFWs because of the initiative and efforts of the Philippine government to bring them home safely. Nakauwi po sila po using chartered flights,” Olalia said in a press conference.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/3/17/ph-mounts-new-repatriation-flights-from-saudi-on-march-22-ambassador-1456">PH mounts new repatriation flights from Saudi on March 22: ambassador</a></div><p>“While commercial flights are available, hindi po ‘yan guaranteed,” he said. </p><p>Olalia noted that some repatriation efforts remain complicated, particularly for Filipinos in countries like Kuwait and Qatar, where airspace restrictions have forced authorities to explore land routes before arranging flights out.</p><p>Philippine Ambassador to Qatar Mardomel Celo Melicor said on Tuesday that Qatar will be resuming flights from Doha to Manila starting March 18, saying that there will be “10 emergency flights” from Doha to Manila daily.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/3/15/more-than-300-arrive-from-riyadh-as-repatriation-flights-continue-1101">More than 300 arrive from Riyadh as repatriation flights continue</a></div><div><br/></div><div><strong>ASSISTANCE  </strong></div><div><br/></div><p>The DMW has also extended both pre- and post-repatriation assistance to OFWs affected by the conflict. </p><p>Olalia said the government provided temporary shelter, hotel accommodation, and financial assistance to displaced Filipinos prior to their return to the Philippines.</p><p>“So ‘yung tinulungan naman natin sa pre-repatriation at post-repatriation, ito naman ‘yung tayo ‘yung tumulong sa hotel and accommodation, binigyan natin ng financial assistance, tapos pagbalik dito sa Pilipinas, meron tayong psychosocial services na binigay dahil humarap sila sa mga traumatic experiences,” Olalia explained.</p><p>Olalia said the agency is focusing on full-cycle reintegration, particularly for workers who lost their jobs due to the conflict. </p><p>“What do we need to intervene? What do we need to do to make their lives livable? Kasi siyempre, wala na trabaho ‘yan (OFWs),” he said. </p><p>“So number one, alternate livelihood. And if they need to go abroad again, andiyan po ang ating job fairs,” Olalia added, citing its partnership with government offices including the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), and the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), and local government units.</p><p>The DMW also confirmed that legal assistance had been extended to three Filipinos arrested in the United Arab Emirates for allegedly violating privacy and security regulations after posting content about missile attacks. </p><p>“We will help. While they are incarcerated, we respect their laws. We respect their processes but we will provide for legal assistance. Libre po ‘yung abogado na ibigay natin sa kanila. And we assure them that the DMW and the whole government will be there to help you,” Olalia said.</p><p>He urged the Filipinos abroad to refrain from posting sensitive content online, warning that such actions could violate local laws.</p><div><strong><br/></strong></div><div><strong>RELATED VIDEOS: </strong><strong><br/><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/mnJTK1WPGMo?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span></strong><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/tgqIRk1Lijw?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span><br/></div>

<p>The government dispatched its third chartered flight early Wednesday to bring home Filipinos from the Middle East, as part of its ongoing repatriation efforts amid escalating tensions in the region.</p>

The government dispatched its third chartered flight early Wednesday to bring home Filipinos from the Middle East, as part of its ongoing repatriation efforts amid escalating tensions in the region.

PH sends third government-chartered flight for Filipinos in Middle East

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PH sends third government-chartered flight for Filipinos in Middle East

Chalssea Kate Echegoyen,

Allison Co,

ABS-CBN News

Published Mar 18, 2026 11:23 AM PHT

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Updated Mar 18, 2026 03:28 PM PHT

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Middle East

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OFWs

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Overseas Filipino Worker

Repatriation

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