MANILA, Philippines — A total of 26 overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) and one Filipina tourist who fled conflict-hit Israel via Jordan have safely returned to the Philippines, the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) confirmed.

The repatriated Filipinos, who crossed the King Hussein Bridge into Jordan earlier this week, were the first batch to exit Israel under the Philippine government’s voluntary repatriation program.

In a statement, it said that they were received and assisted by Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Leo J. Cacdac and Philippine Ambassador to Jordan Wilfredo C. Santos, along with staff from the Philippine Embassy and Migrant Workers Office in Amman.

Following their safe transit, the 26 OFWs, three more OFWs in Jordan, and one from the West Bank boarded a flight back to Manila and arrived Tuesday morning, June 24, together with Secretary Cacdac.

The DMW said the returning Filipinos were provided with immediate financial aid and other forms of support.

The operation is part of the Philippine government’s One Country Team approach, involving coordination between the DMW, Department of Foreign Affairs, and Philippine embassies in Tel Aviv and Amman to ensure the safety and repatriation of Filipinos affected by the ongoing conflict in the region.