Remains of 20 Filipino Workers Repatriated from Kuwait

15/04/2026

Video courtesy, The Philippines Department of Migrant Workers

KUWAIT CITY, Apr 15: The remains of 20 Filipino overseas workers (OFWs) from Kuwait arrived in the Philippines early morning on April 15, 2026, in a solemn repatriation marked by grief and quiet tribute.

Officials from the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) and the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA), including Undersecretaries Felicitas Q. Bay and Dominique Rubia-Tutay, extended condolences to the bereaved families, particularly the children of the deceased.

A brief blessing ceremony was held upon arrival, led by a pastor and a priest, offering final prayers before the remains were brought home to their families.

Relatives of the deceased have appealed to the public for discretion and respect for their privacy as they mourn their loss.

Meanwhile, a total of 106 overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) from Bahrain, along with 48 family members, returned to the Philippines on Wednesday, arriving aboard a Gulf Air flight that landed at 11:06 a.m. at Terminal 3 of Ninoy Aquino International Airport.

The repatriation was coordinated by the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW), Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA), and the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA).

As part of a whole-of-government effort, the group was first transported from Bahrain to Dammam in Saudi Arabia, where they were able to board a flight home due to airport closures in Bahrain.

Upon arrival, the returnees were welcomed by officials from DMW and OWWA, who also extended financial assistance to help them restart their lives.

One of the returnees, Marissa Pelino, reflected on her journey after spending nearly half her life working abroad.

“It’s better to be here with my family,” she said. “I want to take advantage of the government’s training and upskilling programs so I can start over.”