Tired but relieved, hundreds of Filipinos finally saw home again.
On Saturday afternoon, a government-arranged charter flight carrying 442 Filipinos from the United Arab Emirates safely landed at Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3 in Manila.
For many of them, it was more than just a flight.
It was a journey away from danger.
A flight home during crisis
According to the Department of Migrant Workers, the aircraft touched down shortly after 12 noon on Saturday.
More than 200 of the passengers were overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) who had been living and working in the United Arab Emirates.
After days of uncertainty caused by rising tensions in the Middle East, they were finally back on Philippine soil.
In a social media post, Hans Leo Cacdac, secretary of the Department of Migrant Workers, shared a video from inside the plane as it landed.
“We have landed,” he said.
“442 Filipinos from the UAE on the Philippine government-chartered B747-400 flight as directed by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. are home.”
Inside the aircraft, the atmosphere was filled with relief, quiet smiles, and deep breaths after a tense journey.
More flights coming
The repatriation effort is far from over.
The Overseas Workers Welfare Administration said another charter flight is already scheduled to arrive on Sunday.
That flight will carry 341 overseas Filipino workers coming from Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and Bahrain.
Officials also said more charter flights are being prepared to help Filipinos who want to leave conflict-affected areas in the Middle East.
Earlier, 24 Filipinos were also evacuated from Saudi Arabia with the help of the government of Singapore.
A region shaken by war
The evacuations began after the situation in the Middle East suddenly turned dangerous.
Airstrikes carried out by the United States and Israel against Iran killed several high-ranking Iranian leaders and officials.
In response, Iran launched missile and drone attacks targeting nearby Gulf countries that host U.S. military bases or maintain close ties with Washington.
The escalating conflict quickly raised fears for thousands of Filipino workers living across the region.
Millions of Filipinos at risk
The crisis is deeply worrying for the Philippines.
Across the Middle East, more than 2.4 million Filipinos live and work — many of them supporting families back home.
In Israel alone, over 30,000 Filipinos are currently employed.
As tensions continue to rise, the Philippine government is racing against time to make sure its citizens stay safe.
For the 442 Filipinos who landed in Manila on Saturday, however, the most important thing has already happened.
After days of fear and uncertainty…
They are finally home.
