House Committee on Foreign Affairs Chairperson Pangasinan 3rd district Rep. Maria Rachel Arenas says artificial intelligence (AI)-generated videos of the ongoing war in the Middle East are causing panic among Filipinos who looking for updates on the situation.

Arenas raised this concern in a chance interview Thursday, March 12, a day after holding a joint briefing with the Committee on Overseas Workers Affairs specifically to get the House of Representatives updated on welfare of OFWs in the region.

“Actually kaya nga po kahapon na take-up din po ‘yan kahapon kasi ayaw po natin na mag-panic ‘yung ating mga kababayan, pati ‘yung mga pamilya nila dito (Actually, that’s why it was also taken up yesterday because we don’t want our countrymen, or their families here, to panic),” she said, referring to the AI videos.

To counter the misinformation created by these fake videos, the government has set up communication channels that allow families in the Philippines to directly reach relatives working in affected areas.

“Kaya nga rin po nagset-up po ‘yung libreng tawag para po ‘yung mga pamilya nila dito at ‘yung mga OFWs natin malaman nila first-hand ng mga pamilya nila na ganito ang sitwasyon nila,” Arenas explained.

(That’s why free calls were also set up—so that their families here and our OFWs can directly hear from their loved ones about their situation.)

The ranking lawmaker added that embassies were closely monitoring requests for assistance and responding quickly when Filipinos seek help.

“In fact, sabi naman po nung ating mga embahado dun na lahat po halos nung mga humihingi ng tulong sa kanila, alam nila kung san nakatira at kung humingi po ng tulong agad agad din hong pinupuntahan o tinatawagan nila tong mga OFW’s natin doon."

(In fact, our embassies there have said that almost all those seeking help are known to them by residence, and whenever assistance is requested, they immediately visit or call our OFWs in the area.)

Arenas acknowledged that immigration issues have also delayed the repatriation of some Filipinos.

She added that some workers who overstayed or lacked proper documents may need additional time before they can return home. But she guaranteed government assistance through the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) and the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW)

Arenas also says the government is preparing reintegration assistance for workers who may be forced to return home if the crisis persists.