SINGAPORE ASSISTS IN EVACUATING 24 FILIPINOS FROM JEDDAH

THE Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) has assisted in flying 24 overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) out of Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, by deploying a repatriation flight for Singapore nationals stranded by airline disruptions due to the Middle East conflict.

Singapore Ambassador to the Philippines Constance See said on Friday, “Singapore deployed an RSAF A330 Multi-Role Tanker Transport aircraft on 12 March to bring Singaporeans home safely from Jeddah.”

“After prioritizing Singaporeans and their families, we were glad that available seats could be extended to nationals from other countries, including 24 Filipinos. The flight landed in Singapore on March 13 at 5:59 a.m.,” the statement said.

“This was very much a partnership. We worked in close coordination with the Department of Foreign Affairs and the Philippine Consulate General in Jeddah, to facilitate the Filipinos who joined the flight” Ambassador See said.

The Philippine government, through the Department of Foreign Affairs and its missions, has been mounting complex repatriation efforts to bring Filipinos home safely.

“Our flight complements those efforts,” Ambassador See said.

“This is really ASEAN solidarity in action, neighbors helping neighbors in difficult moments. Our ASEAN neighbors have assisted Singaporeans in returning home in past crises,” the statement said.

“Singapore and the Philippines are close friends, and we were very glad to help these Filipinos begin their journey home. At the end of the day, what matters most is that people return safely to their families,” Ambassador See said.