Nearly 300 Filipinos who were stranded in the Middle East have returned to the Philippines, marking the arrival of the first batch of repatriates amid ongoing tensions in the region, as reported by RH Jecelle Ricafort.

The group arrived early Thursday morning at Terminal 3 of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport.

According to Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac, a total of 299 repatriates departed Dubai at around 10 p.m. Wednesday. They landed in Manila at exactly 6:45 a.m. on Emirates Airlines Flight 336.

The Filipinos were stranded due to the escalating conflict involving the United States, Israel, and Iran in the Middle East.

Authorities have yet to announce how many of those in the first batch are overseas Filipino workers (OFWs). It also remains unclear whether the 11 vice mayors and one mayor from Bulacan who were reportedly stranded in Dubai are included among the repatriates.

Cacdac assured the public that assistance is ready for the affected Filipinos, following directives from President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

“Direktiba ito ng ating mahal na pangulo na imonitor ‘yong kapakanan ng ating mga kababayan sa UAE sa gitna ng kasalukuyang pangyayari doon, mga sigalot na dinaranas ng Middle East,” Cacdac said.

He added that a team of government individuals has been mobilized to extend aid and ensure the safety of Filipinos abroad.

Meanwhile, nearly 700 OFWs who were stranded at NAIA while waiting for flights bound for the Middle East have been assisted by the Department of Migrant Workers and the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration.

The government provided them with temporary housing and welfare support as they await further travel arrangements.