Sixty-one overseas Filipino workers returned to the Philippines on Friday aboard Qatar Airways Flight QR928, the Department of Migrant Workers and the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration met the returning workers at Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3 to provide financial assistance, food, and transportation.
Riyadh Airport Attacks Leave 13 Dead and Over 300 Wounded
Occurring on October 10, that event proved to be the third and most lethal strike directed at the major Riyadh aviation center within the span of seven days. The Saudi General Authority of Civil Aviation reported that the projectile strikes—claimed by Yemen-based Houthi forces using a combination of drones, cruise missiles, and ballistic missiles—killed at least 13 individuals and wounded over 300 others. The fatalities included citizens from the United States, Egypt, Bangladesh, Jordan, Syria, Palestine, Sudan, and Pakistan.
On October 27, Hans Leo Cacdac, the Secretary of Migrant Workers, and Raymond Balatbat, the Philippine Ambassador to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, checked on surviving overseas Filipino workers at the airport. Also present during the visit were Migrant Workers Undersecretary Jainal Rasul Jr. and labor officials Dominador Salanga, Solaiman Mutia, and Geraldine Mendez. The Department of Migrant Workers is also coordinating the repatriation of the remains of a Filipino worker killed in a separate Houthi drone attack on an oil facility in Saudi Arabia.
Relief Operations and Shelter Aid Reaches Jeddah
In Jeddah, 50 distressed overseas Filipino workers received financial aid as Secretary Cacdac visited the newly renovated Bahay Kalinga on Thursday. Distributed via the agency’s AKSYON Fund, the payout of 750 Saudi riyals—roughly equivalent to PHP12,700—went to each of the 42 domestic workers and eight male skilled workers in the group. The shelter operates as a temporary refuge for distressed workers while the Migrant Workers Office in Jeddah addresses their cases.
The total number of overseas Filipino workers and their dependents repatriated from Saudi Arabia since October 19 has reached 573. Secretary Cacdac accompanied some of the returning workers on their flight, emphasizing the government’s mandate to assist citizens during crises. There’s no question that our president’s instruction is that in times of great need, we must be there. That is why we were there,
Cacdac said.
Deployment Status and Security Advisories for Saudi Arabia
Despite the security threats, the Philippine government is not considering a deployment ban to Saudi Arabia. Secretary Cacdac noted the host country’s strong commitment to protecting foreign nationals. However, the Philippine Embassy issued a stern reminder to all Filipinos in the country to maintain heightened vigilance and strictly avoid military installations, oil refineries, and crowded public sectors.
While no formal deployment ban exists, flights to Riyadh may be unavailable, and travelers are urged to monitor airport operations and embassy announcements before proceeding with travel plans. The government continues to assess the security situation to determine whether to raise the alert level in Saudi Arabia.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Repatriation and Security Situation
How many overseas Filipino workers have returned home from Saudi Arabia?
The total number of repatriated overseas Filipino workers and their dependents reached 573 since October 19, following ongoing coordination between the Department of Migrant Workers and the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration.
What financial aid is being provided to distressed workers in Saudi Arabia?
Distressed workers at the Bahay Kalinga shelter in Jeddah each received 750 Saudi riyals, equivalent to about PHP12,700, distributed through the Department of Migrant Workers AKSYON Fund.
Is the Philippine government halting worker deployments to Saudi Arabia?
The government is not considering a deployment ban, citing Saudi Arabia’s commitment to protecting foreign nationals, though officials advise travelers to monitor airport operations and avoid military and industrial sites.
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