SINGAPORE, 13 March 2026 – The Philippine Embassy assisted 24 overseas Filipino repatriates from Jeddah who are transiting in Singapore on their way  home to the Philippines. 

Philippine Ambassador to Singapore Medardo G. Macaraig personally welcomed the group, composed of nine (9) male and fifteen (15) female overseas Filipino workers (OFWs), who arrived in Singapore this morning at 5:59 AM via a Singapore-chartered flight that departed from King Abdulaziz International Airport, Jeddah on 12 March 2026 at 4:00 PM, Saudi time (9:00 PM, Philippines/Singapore time). 

The 24 distressed OFWs had been unable to secure outbound flights from Jeddah, Saudi Arabia due to limited flight availability amid the ongoing situation in the region.

Ambassador Macaraig was joined by the Embassy’s Assistance-to-Nationals Team, as well as representatives from the Migrant Workers Office (MWO) and  Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) offices in Singapore.

The group was also welcomed by Singapore’s Senior Minister of State for Home Affairs and Acting Minister-in-charge of Muslim Affairs  Associate Professor Muhammad Faishal bin Ibrahim who was present at Changi Terminal 2 to oversee the arrival of the evacuation flight.  

Upon arrival, the Philippine Embassy team provided assistance to the Filipino nationals while in transit, coordinating closely with Singapore authorities and airport officials to facilitate their smooth transfer within the airport and ensure their onward travel to Manila. 

The group is scheduled to depart Singapore for Manila today in two batches via Cebu Pacific flight 5J 818 and 5J 806, respectively. The first batch, composed of 15 OFWs, will leave Singapore at 10:50 AM to arrive in Manila at 2:45 PM while the second batch, composed of 9 OFWs, is scheduled to depart Singapore at 6:15 PM to arrive in Manila at 10:15 PM. The flights from Singapore to Manila were funded by the Philippine Government.

Ambassador Macaraig conveyed to Minister Faishal the Philippines’ sincere appreciation to the Singapore Government for extending available seats on the chartered flight to Filipino nationals and other citizens of ASEAN member states. The gesture reflects the longstanding ASEAN practice of extending assistance to fellow member countries during emergencies, disasters, and conflicts, and underscores the spirit of regional solidarity.

He further expressed gratitude for Singapore’s assistance in the repatriation of Filipinos and other nationals from Australia, Brunei Darussalam, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, and Vietnam,  amid the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.

On 12 March 2026, the Singapore Government deployed a Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) A330 Multi-Role Tanker Transport (MRTT) aircraft for a second flight to assist the departure of its nationals from Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Singapore first deployed its MRTT on 10 March 2026. 

The Department of Foreign Affairs, along with its partner agencies, remains committed to providing assistance to kababayans in distress.  Filipinos seeking assistance are advised to contact the Philippine Embassies and Consulates General in their area through the contact numbers and official channels posted on its website and social media pages. END