31 Filipino repatriates from Middle East now safe – DMW

MANILA, Philippines — All 31 Filipino repatriates from the Middle East, whose flight home was delayed in Qatar, are safe and sound, according to Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac.

In a statement on Tuesday, Cacdac said Qatari airspace has reopened and authorities are now awaiting confirmation of the repatriates’ new flight schedule.

READ: PH looking for OFW exit from Israel-Iran conflict

“Our officials and personnel from the Philippine Embassy are on the ground providing our overseas Filipino workers, who availed the repatriation program of our government as mandated by our President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., the necessary assistance and coordination with the Qatari authorities,” he added.

Families of affected Filipinos were also assured that the Department of Migrant Workers is actively working to finalize their new flight arrangements.

Cacdac, meanwhile, thanked the Qatari Ministry of Interior for its swift response and for ensuring the safety and security of all those affected.

The closure of Qatari airspace delayed both Cacdac’s commercial flight and the repatriation of Filipinos to the Philippines.

The disruption followed Iran’s limited missile strike on a U.S. military base in Qatar in retaliation for the American bombing of its nuclear sites.

Following Iran’s retaliatory missile launch, US President Donald Trump announced that Iran and Israel had agreed to a staggered ceasefire beginning Tuesday, marking what he called an “official end” to the conflict.

READ: Trump announces ceasefire between Iran and Israel

Earlier, the Philippine government expressed grave concern over the heightened tensions in the Middle East after Israel launched airstrikes on Iran, urging all parties to pursue de-escalation and peace.

Tensions escalated on June 13 when Israel carried out strikes on Iran’s nuclear and military sites, following President Trump’s warning of a potential “massive conflict” in the region./mcm

(2025/06/24-09:19)