The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) welcomed the United States' announcement of the ceasefire agreement between Israel and Iran as the first batch of repatriated Filipinos from the Middle East consisting of 31 Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) arrived at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport on Tuesday evening, following repatriation delays after the temporary closure of Qatari airspace after an Iranian attack on a US military base in Doha.

In a statement, the DFA said that they were hopeful that the US ceasefire would 'be a crucial step towards achieving lasting peace in the region'.

"We urge all parties concerned to continue engaging in dialogue and negotiations toward a permanent solution to this issue," the DFA said.

The 31 Filipinos from the Middle East arrived aboard Qatar Airways Flight QR 934 that landed at 8 p.m. in Manila, where they were welcomed by members of the Overseas Welfare Administration (OWWA), Department of Migrant Workers (DMW), and other government agencies.

“We experienced flight delays due to airspace restrictions, but what’s really important is that we are here at home, safe and sound,” Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Cacdac said in a statement.

26 of the repatriates were from Israel, three from Jordan, one from Palestine, and one from Qatar.

The repatriated Filipinos will received financial assistant worth 150,000 thousand pesos, temporary shelter, transportation to their respective provinces, reintegration program, and medical services and assistance

“We stand ready to assist those who are willing to be repatriated. We are encouraging OFWs to avail of the voluntary repatriation program,” Cacdac said.

A total of 311 Filipinos out of the 30,000 in Israel have requested for repatriation, according to the Philippine Embassy in Tel Aviv.

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) said in a press conference on Tuesday that they are ready to assist in repatriating Filipinos in the Middle East, as the Iran-Israel conflict bleeds unto neighboring countries following Iran's retaliatory attack on a US military base in Qatar on Tuesday.

“The Armed Forces of the Philippines is prepared to be in sync with other government agencies in terms of the role that the AFP will play in terms of repatriation,” said AFP spokesperson Col. Francel Margareth Padilla said. Velle White/DMS