Marcos: No mandatory repatriation for Filipino workers in Middle East crisis

President Ferdinand 'Bongbong' Marcos Jr. stated on Wednesday that there is currently no need for mandatory repatriation of Filipinos due to the conflict between Iran and Israel.

Marcos assured reporters that the government leaves the decision to evacuate up to each individual or family, emphasizing their safety as a priority, and confirmed that Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac is traveling to Jordan to oversee the evacuation process for affected Filipinos.

As of June 17, at least eight OFWs remain stranded in Jordan following the closure of several airports which has complicated evacuation efforts; however, the government continues to look for alternative routes and has successfully facilitated the repatriation of two batches of OFWs and their families.

According to government data, around 92 overseas Filipinos have so far registered for voluntary repatriation, with 82 registering before the April 19 Iranian attacks and ten more after, while the Philippine government also acknowledges that the ongoing Middle East crisis will likely cause oil prices to rise, prompting plans to provide assistance to affected stakeholders.

Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin said there are some 30,000 Filipinos in Israel and about 1,200 in Iran, with many expressing willingness to return home.