Quezon city: Three overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) who were injured during the attack on Kuwait International Airport Terminal 1 on June 3 are all safe and out of the hospital as the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) continues to monitor their situation.
According to Philippines News Agency, in a press briefing during the OFW Global Summit 2026 in Quezon City on Sunday, DMW Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac assured that the Philippine government continues to monitor the situation in the Middle East region while accelerating repatriation efforts for those who wish to come home.
Cacdac stated, "So, we have been monitoring the situation on the ground since the attacks on the Kuwaiti International Airport Terminal 1 on June 3. The President has asked us to monitor the situation." He emphasized that there were no Filipino fatalities during the attack; however, three OFWs working at the airport were injured but are now out of harm's way.
One of the injured OFWs was hospitalized after suffering from smoke inhalation but has since been discharged, while the other two received outpatient treatment. One worker sustained cuts to the scalp and arm that required stitches but was eventually allowed to return home. "Yung isa siguro yung pinakamalubha pero minor pa rin under the circumstances. Nagkaroon siya ng injuries sa scalp niya at sa arm. So nagkaroon siya ng stitches. But otherwise, she is perfectly okay. She has been released. We are monitoring her situation in her residence in Kuwait," Cacdac said.
Another worker experienced respiratory issues following the incident but is likewise recovering. "Nagkaroon lang ng konting pagbara sa kanyang baga, but she has been treated on an outpatient basis and again recovering in her residence," Cacdac added.
On June 3, the Kuwait News Agency reported that Iranian strikes hit a terminal at its international airport, resulting in the death of at least one person and injuries to 63 others. This marks the first deadly attack in the Gulf since a ceasefire took effect on April 8.
Despite the easing of repatriation requests from other Middle Eastern countries, the DMW noted that demand from Kuwait remains due to ongoing security concerns. Cacdac mentioned that repatriation efforts are ongoing. "So, for instance, in Kuwait, we saw the drone and missile attacks on Kuwait International Airport Terminal 1. So meron pa rin at meron. May 162 tayong napipinto," he said, referring to the 162 individuals pending repatriation.
He further explained that due to limited operations at Kuwait International Airport, the affected individuals would be transferred via land crossing from Kuwait to Saudi Arabia, with potential departures via Saudi. "Limited ngayon ang operation ng Kuwait International Airport, so itatawid sila land crossing from Kuwait to Saudi, and possible fly out via Saudi. So 162 yung napipintong umuwi. But having said that, in the other parts like UAE and Qatar and Bahrain, medyo humupa na rin yung request for repatriation," Cacdac concluded.
