Misinformation and immigration backlogs are compounding the challenges facing the Philippine government as it monitors the safety of an estimated 2.4 to 2.5 million Filipinos working across the Middle East amid an escalating regional conflict.
Pangasinan Rep. Rachel Arenas, who chairs the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, said government agencies are already fully mobilized, with Philippine embassies in the region participating in a recent congressional hearing online despite active security risks in their areas.
Arenas flagged the spread of AI-generated videos online as a growing concern, saying the fabricated content is stoking unnecessary fear among families of overseas Filipino workers back home. “Actually, this was brought up yesterday because we don’t want to cause panic among our citizens and their families here,” she said.
To address the problem, communication lines have been established to allow families in the Philippines to reach relatives in affected areas directly. Arenas said embassies are responding swiftly to assistance requests, citing assurances from Philippine ambassadors in the region. “Sabi naman po nung ating mga embahado doon na lahat po halos ‘nung mga humihingi ng tulong sa kanila, alam nila kung saan nakatira at kung humingi po ng tulong, agad-agad din hong pinupuntahan o tinatawagan nila itong mga OFW natin doon,” she said.
The lawmaker confirmed that authorities are providing assistance to the family of Mary Ann Velasquez de Vera, a Filipina caregiver from Pangasinan who was struck by debris during an attack. “Nakikiramay po kaming lahat sa pamilya niya,” she added.
Should the government require more resources, Arenas said the 20th Congress will not hesitate to pass a supplemental budget. Legislators have already discussed the possibility during oversight hearings. “We will go by the guiding principle of the President, which is safety first,” she said. “And we will not hesitate to support the needs of our departments to make sure that every Filipino is safe and protected.”
Workers with immigration violations or expired documents face additional delays in returning home, though the Department of Foreign Affairs and the Department of Migrant Workers are working to assist them. Arenas also said reintegration support is being prepared for those who may be compelled to leave their posts if conditions deteriorate further.
