DFA Welcomes First Group of Filipinos from Iran via DFA-Funded Repatriation Efforts
Undersecretary Eduardo José A. de Vega (center) and OWWA Administrator Patricia Yvonne Caunan (second from left) welcome the repatriates and extend welfare assistance. (Photo credits: DFA-OUMA )
MANILA 30 June 2025 — The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) joined other agencies consisting of the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW), Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA), and the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) in warmly welcoming the first batch of six evacuees who arrived this morning in the Philippines from Iran via Turkmenistan, with two more Overseas Filipinos (OFs) arriving shortly after.
Repatriation efforts led by the DFA, through the Office of the Undersecretary for Migration Affairs’ (DFA-OUMA) Rapid Response Team (RRT) deployed in Ashgabat, Turkmenistan were conducted on 26 June 2025 that assisted eight OFs, who fled from Iran due to the ongoing conflict in the region to return home to the Philippines.
The DFA’s Rapid Response Team (RRT) was assisted by the Malaysian Embassy in Turkmenistan, and also assisted the Philippine Embassy in Tehran, Iran (Tehran PE) in the logistical arrangements to fetch the OFs from the Iranian-Turkmen border. The OFs and two Malaysian nationals were earlier assisted by Tehran PE, led by Consul General Jabbar Adiong. The closely orchestrated repatriation mission highlights the spirit of camaraderie and mutual consular interests among ASEAN member-states in the midst of political-security unrest in a foreign region.
Escalating tensions between Israel and Iran have prompted our kababayans to evacuate from worksites in Tehran and other nearby and far-flung cities and seek repatriation assistance from Tehran PE, headed by His Excellency Roberto G. Manalo, in hopes of reuniting with their loved ones. The OFs were readily allowed to enter Turkmenistan without much formalities on humanitarian grounds. They were then escorted by the composite ASEAN repatriation team to Ashgabat International Airport for their connecting flight to Dubai, United Arab Emirates, and then to Manila. END
Acting Director Lopez (leftmost) along with some of the repatriates departing Border Control of Iran-Turkmenistan on the way to Ashgabat International Airport (Photo credits: Acting Director Lopez)
The Ambassador of Malaysia to Turkmenistan, His Excellency Mohd Suhaimi Ahmad Tajuddin (center), along with Consul Yazmalina Binti Yacob (second from left) and Consul Norafizawat Binti Sheid Ahmad Soekarno (leftmost) meets with the Department’s RRT composed of Acting Director Lemuel C. Lopez (second from right) and Mr. James Pacio (rightmost) to discuss and assist in the repatriation efforts. (Photo credits: Acting Director Lopez)
The eight (8) Overseas Filipinos (OFs) assisted by the DFA RRT dropped off at Ashgabat International Airport on 26 June 2025 (Photo credits: Acting Director Lopez)
Undersecretary Eduardo José A. de Vega (fourth from the left), OWWA Administrator Patricia Yvonne Caunan (fourth from the top right row) and other government officials receive six (6) of eight (8) repatriates at a holding area in NAIA Terminal 3 (Photo credits: DFA-OUMA )