Philippines Repatriates 400+ Filipinos from Middle East

MANILA, Philippines – The Philippine government has begun repatriating overseas Filipino workers and other nationals from conflict zones in the Middle East following a U.S.-Israel joint military operation against Iran on February 28, with more than 400 individuals safely returned to the country so far.

The operation, which involved missile strikes on key Iranian military facilities and resulted in the death of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, has heightened regional tensions and prompted evacuation efforts for Filipinos in the area. The Department of Foreign Affairs reported that nine Filipinos, the first batch from Iran, arrived home on March 10 and 11 after a coordinated land crossing into Turkey facilitated by Philippine embassies in both countries, followed by a flight to Manila. These individuals were among 327 repatriation requests received from the Middle East as of March 10, with nine specifically from Iran, where an estimated 800 Filipinos reside, mostly as spouses of Iranian nationals.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. announced that two charter flights are being arranged to assist additional returns. Speaking during a forum in New York on March 11, Manila time,...