Pres. Marcos Jr. pledges safe, continuous repatriation for Filipinos amid Middle East tensions

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. reaffirmed the government’s unwavering commitment to the safety of Filipinos in the Middle East, assuring the public on Wednesday that repatriation efforts will continue “tirelessly” until every citizen wishing to return home is safely back on Philippine soil.

During a Presidential Address at Malacañan Palace, the President emphasized that the administration is working closely with local authorities in the region to navigate the complex security landscape and ensure the safest possible transit for overseas Filipino workers (OFWs).

The President highlighted the critical need for precise coordination to avoid “misencounters” in active conflict zones. He explained that all movements are being cleared by local authorities to ensure civilian flights are not mistaken for military operations.

“When a plane is at 10,000 feet, they cannot distinguish if it is military or civilian. To avoid potential problems or misencounters, we are ensuring that every movement is cleared by local authorities so that everyone remains safe,” President Marcos stated.

To accommodate the growing need for evacuation, the government is prepared to increase the frequency of chartered flights. Key highlights of the operational plan include:

• Increased Flight Frequency: Initial repatriation began with one flight per week, with plans to accelerate to two flights per week, contingent on clearance from host countries.

• Comprehensive Support: Over 2,000 OFWs have already been successfully repatriated.

• Widespread Assistance: More than 16,000 affected Filipinos have received essential aid, including food, shelter, medical care, transportation, and financial support.

President Marcos credited the Philippines’ strong diplomatic relations with Middle Eastern nations as a primary factor in the smooth coordination of these rescue missions. He noted that the excellent reputation and performance of Filipino workers have fostered significant goodwill among host governments.

“Our host countries are very appreciative of our workers because of their skill and dedication,” the President noted. “We have coordinated with them immediately, and they have assured us that the security of our OFWs is being monitored and that they will not be placed in harm’s way.”

The President concluded by stating that these efforts will persist “until the war ends or until we have repatriated all of our nationals who wish to return to the Philippines.”