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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Cops, resources on standby in case assistance is needed for OFW repatriation in Middle East

Cops, resources on standby in case assistance is needed for OFW repatriation in Middle East

Published Mar 4, 2026 11:08 am
The Philippine National Police (PNP) said it will coordinate with government agencies in charge of repatriation of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) for any assistance that it could provide in bringing them back home amid the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.
PNP chief Gen. Jose Melencio C. Nartatez, Jr. said it is ready to provide manpower and resources that the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) and the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) may need for any repatriation plan.
“The Philippine National Police is ready to provide manpower and other resources for any plan of lead government agencies to bring home as many of our kababayan. We are putting a sufficient number of our personnel and resources on standby for this purpose,” said Nartatez
There are around 2.5 million Filipinos in the Middle East and at least 1,400 of them have already signified intention to go back home amid the series of air strikes in the region since Saturday, Feb. 28.
Earlier, the DMW said there is no mass repatriation in the Middle East yet, but vowed that the government is ready to assist affected Filipinos.
While there is no decision yet, Nartatez said their focus is on securing Middle East-bound OFws who are affected by the mass flight cancellation since the air strikes began on Saturday, Feb. 28.
He said police visibility has been beefed up at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport to assist those who were stranded amid the flight cancellations due to safety issues.
Personnel from the Aviation Security Group and territorial units were also instructed to be alert and responsive to any call for assistance from the OFWs whose flights are cancelled and to add another layer of security to roads leading to and from airports.
Hotels near airports where some OFWs decided to temporarily stay will also be subject of police visibility measures for their protection.
Earlier, the PNP said it has intensified security measures even if there is no threat of spillover of attacks relating to the Middle East tensions.
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