The Philippine Embassy in Doha on Wednesday night reported that 319 Filipinos, including stranded passengers and distressed overseas workers, have returned to the Philippines through evacuation flights mounted by Qatar Airways since March 7.
In an advisory, the embassy said it is monitoring developments around the clock and coordinating with local authorities, and relevant offices in Manila.
“The Embassy of the Republic of the Philippines in Doha is monitoring developments 24/7 and is continuously coordinating with local authorities, various diplomatic missions in Doha, various Philippine Embassies across the region, and relevant offices in Manila as the current situation unfolds,” the statement read.
The embassy also noted assistance provided to at least 27 Filipino pilots and flight crew who crossed the Qatar-KSA border to catch their flight from Riyadh on March 10.
Additionally, several stranded Filipino transit passengers and visitors have departed for the Philippines, with those remaining in Qatar either accommodated by their airlines or under the care of their visa sponsors.
“The Embassy is aware of their whereabouts,” the statement added.
Filipinos in Qatar with non-emergency needs are also advised to stay indoors for safety and follow guidelines from the embassy and local authorities.
Earlier, Department of Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac said that while the government is prioritizing repatriation from the UAE, preparations are also underway for land evacuation routes for Filipinos in other regions due to airspace restrictions.
According to records from the DFA, around 2 million Filipino workers are in the Middle East, and over 327 have requested repatriation as of Tuesday, March 10.
