Around 10 children were among 68 individuals who landed in the Philippines overnight, most of them workers fleeing unrest in the Middle East, Department of Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac disclosed in a radio interview Wednesday.
Speaking on DZRH, Cacdac said the group came from countries including Israel, the UAE, and Qatar — part of a broader, ongoing movement of Filipinos seeking to leave conflict-affected areas.
The reasons driving their return vary, Cacdac noted, ranging from completed contracts to outright fear brought on by the war. “Everyday naman may umuuwi, pero naantala, mayroon yung iba nakapagpaalam ng maayos sa employer at sinabi na gusto na nila umuwi may pangamba sila,” he said.
He added that contract status alone does not determine whether a worker stays or leaves. “Maraming personal na dahilan ang isang OFW… tapos na ang kontrata, may option naman siya magrenew o manatili,” Cacdac said.
On the government’s end, the DMW has extended repatriation assistance — covering flight expenses — to roughly 600 OFWs who arrived on Emirates flights. Fare assistance has so far been provided to 110 returnees.
“Kami naman trabaho naming sumalubong sa airport ng mga OFW yung charter flight tsaka block booking,” Cacdac said, describing the department’s airport reception operations.
Additional charter flights are being arranged, and Cacdac said he will personally be present at departures bound for Dubai in the coming days.
