1st batch of Iraq OFWs ready to fly home

MANILA, Philippines — The first batch of evacuees from Iraq, composed of 14 overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) are getting ready to be flown home, as the Philippine government prepares for a “massive” repatriation operations over the rising tension in the Middle East, the Department of National Defense (DND) said on Saturday.

The DND said the 14 OFW evacuees were now at the Philippine Embassy in the Iraqi capital Baghdad, before they would be transported to Doha, Qatar, from where they would take their flight to Manila on Sunday.

The Philippine Coast Guard has reportedly put one of its vessels, BRP Gabriela Silang, which is docked in Malta, on standby and is ready to sail anytime to nearby countries where Filipinos are in danger, and ferry them to “safer areas,” according to the DND.

—Melvin Gascon