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Philippines vows legal aid for 3 Filipinos detained in UAE over video posts
“We are working closely with Ambassador Ver and the Philippine Embassy to provide legal and other forms of assistance,” Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac said on Tuesday
- PUBLISHED: Tue 17 Mar 2026, 7:59 PM
[Editor's Note: Follow Khaleej Times live blog amid US-Israel-Iran war for the latest regional developments.]
Philippine Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac has assured "full legal assistance and support" to the three overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) who were arrested for allegedly posting videos of Iranian missile attacks and violating the UAE security measures.
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Cacdac said at a press briefing in Manila on Tuesday that the Philippine government has assigned a lawyer for the arrested OFWs and that the Philippine Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) is in close coordination with the Philippine Embassy in the UAE through Ambassador Alfonso Ferdinand A. Ver.
“We are working closely with Ambassador Ver and the Philippine Embassy in the UAE to provide legal and other forms of assistance,” Cacdac said in a press briefing on Tuesday.
According to Philippine News Agency (PNA), Cacdac said the assigned retained lawyer will have a legal course of action to defend the three OFWs.
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“I can’t give details on the legal courses of action, but rest assured, we have a lawyer assigned… and that lawyer has been tasked to see them wherever they are currently detained," said Cacdac, confirming all three individuals are OFWs and UAE residents. Two were arrested in Abu Dhabi and one in Dubai, according to the Philippine mission.
Cacdac also assured that aside from legal representation, the DMW is also in touch with the families in the Philippines of the three OFWs
UAE security rules
PNA noted in its report on Tuesday that the "arrests stemmed from alleged violations of UAE security rules, particularly involving the documentation and posting of videos related to attacks amid heightened tensions in the Middle East region."
"UAE authorities have tightened enforcement of cybercrime and information laws, particularly on filming and posting video materials related to the attacks in the country," PNA pointed out.
Cacdac also reiterated the earlier advisory by the Philippine Embassy in the UAE, calling on Filipinos to strictly follow the host country laws.
“First and foremost, we continue to exercise caution, advising our fellow citizens to please abide by host country protocols and security regulations,” Cacdac said, noting: "In this case, posting of documentations or videos of attacks is prohibited."
"So, please refrain or do not video nor post such images of attacks in your respective host country," he added.
Another successful repatriation
Meanwhile, the Philippine Embassy, Migrant Workers Office, and Overseas Workers Welfare Association (OWWA) in Abu Dhabi, successfully brought home 38 Filipinos affected by the ongoing conflict in the Middle East conflict.
The repatriates arrived in Manila aboard Emirates Flight EK 336. (They) are composed of 2 stranded tourists, 9 visiting dependents of OFWs, including elderly individuals and minors, and 27 distressed OFWs, the Philippine Embassy said in a Facebook post.
"In light of the ongoing crisis, (we) reaffirm (our) steadfast commitment to safeguarding the welfare of Filipinos in the UAE and ensuring that they are provided with the necessary assistance and support whenever needed," the Philippine Embassy added.
