The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) confirmed on Monday, October 12, that deployment of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) to Saudi Arabia remains open despite reported missile and projectile attacks by Yemen-based Houthi militants targeting King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh.
In a television interview, DMW Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac clarified that no ban is currently in place, though the government continues to monitor regional security conditions alongside diplomatic authorities.
“Wala naman tayong deployment ban sa ngayon,” Cacdac stated. “Of course, we’re coordinating with the Department of Foreign Affairs for the security and political assessment but otherwise, wala tayong deployment ban sa ngayon.”
The agency advised bound travelers and OFWs to verify their flight statuses directly with airlines prior to departure following temporary airport closures and widespread flight cancellations in Riyadh.
The statement follows consecutive Houthi projectile strikes hitting King Khalid International Airport over the weekend. A Saturday attack left 13 dead and over 300 injured, including four Filipino workers, while a subsequent strike on Sunday reportedly killed one individual and injured 11 others.
The DMW assured that it remains in direct contact with the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) and local embassy officials in Riyadh to assess safety conditions for the Filipino community in the region.