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First batch of stranded Filipinos in UAE returns home amid regional crisis
A total of 299 Filipino passengers – who are mostly women, plus infants and children – are expected to land in Manila at around 2am (UAE time), Thursday, March 5
- PUBLISHED: Wed 4 Mar 2026, 8:22 PM UPDATED: Wed 4 Mar 2026, 9:54 PM
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The first batch of stranded Filipinos in the UAE have left Dubai International Airport (DXB) via Emirates flight EK 336 at 6.07pm UAE time (10.07pm Philippine time) on Wednesday, Philippine Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) secretary Hans Leo Cacdac confirmed.
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Speaking from the DMW office in Manila, Cacdac said in a short video posted on X: “A total of 299 Filipino passengers – who are mostly women, plus infants and children – are expected to land at NAIA (Ninoy Aquino International Airport ), at around 6am (Philippine time; 2am UAE time) tomorrow (Thursday, March 5).”
The returning Filipinos are part of the 407 total passengers of flight EK 336 bound for Manila, Cacdac added as he thanked the UAE government and Emirates for facilitating the return of the stranded Filipinos due to regional tension.
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Repatriation request
Earlier in the day, Philippine Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) Chief Patricia Yvonne Caunan said a total of 1,189 OFWs from the affected countries in the Middle East have expressed intent to be repatriated.
Caunan said at a press briefing in Manila: “This is at 12 noon (Philippine time), March 4 – and I just like to stress that this is a moving number as we speak: For Bahrain, we have received 278 (repatriation request); from Israel, 46; from Kuwait, 62; from Dubai, 231; from Abu Dhabi, 246; and from Qatar, 173, Lebanon, 5.”
At the same press conference, Cacdac, however, cited the earlier pronouncement of Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr that “this is not yet the time to undertake a government-sponsored mass repatriation effort”.
Citing the closure of airspace in several Gulf states and Israel, Marcos said the Philippine government does not want to place any foreign citizens or OFWs (overseas Filipino workers) in danger as the country undertakes repatriation.”
“Safety is beyond our control. With the rocket fire, drone attacks, and missile attacks, it's all beyond us. So we are looking into whether we can undertake repatriation given there are attendant risks,” noted Cacdac, adding there are alternative options, including land evacuation, that are being explored in coordination with the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), the Department of National Defense (DND), and host countries.
Consular services
Meanwhile, in Dubai, Philippine consul-general Ambrosio Brian F. Enciso III spoke to some Filipinos whose travels have been disrupted by the ongoing regional situation.
Enciso said he is contact with affected individuals and groups, “keeping tabs with their needs, and responding to their inquiries.” Assistance includes welfare checks, case monitoring, facilitation of urgent needs, and other appropriate interventions for vulnerable travelers, including senior citizens, families with children.
Enciso also assured consular services are unhampered. The Consulate advised stranded travelers to keep in close contact with their airline provider or travel agency to ascertain the soonest possible flight out of Dubai.
“Filipinos living in Dubai are urged to remain calm, monitor official advisories, and rely only on verified information released through official government channels. Those who may require assistance are encouraged to contact the Philippine Consulate at +971 56 501 5756."
