FACT CHECK: Baste Duterte did not send chartered plane for Middle East OFWs’ repatriation

Claim: Davao City Mayor Sebastian “Baste” Duterte sent a chartered plane via Philippines Airlines (PAL) to repatriate overseas Filipino workers (OFW) in the Middle East.

Rating: FALSE

Why we fact-checked this: As of writing, the Facebook reel containing the claim has garnered 112,000 reactions, 11,400 comments, 21,000 shares, and 2.7 million views.

The reel overlaid with text, “Baste Duterte Nagpadala Ng Philippines Airlines Para makauwi MGA OFW.” 

(Baste Duterte sent a Philippine Airlines aircraft to bring home OFWs.)

Netizens applauded Duterte in the comment section, “So successful arrangement done by Duterte to save Filipino from middle of crisis in middle east.” (Wow president material with a heart.)

The facts: There are no news reports or announcements from reputable sources, nor from Duterte’s official and verified Facebook account, confirming his supposed repatriation of OFWs in the Middle East. The Facebook post did not cite any official source for its claim.

Philippine Airlines and OFW repatriation: PAL has been involved in repatriation efforts for OFWs in the Middle East. In a Facebook message, PAL confirmed to Rappler: “There is no specific mention of Baste Duterte leading or sending a Philippine Airlines airplane for the repatriation of OFWs from the Middle East. Philippine Airlines has been involved in repatriation efforts, but these are typically coordinated with government authorities and not attributed to a single individual.”

There are an estimated 2.4 million Filipinos residing in the Middle East. Approximately 1.1 million Filipinos are land-based OFWs, contributing more than $6.48 billion in 2025.

Philippine President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. directed the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW), the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA), and other concerned agencies to continue repatriation of, and assistance to, OFWs affected by the ongoing war in the Middle East.

OFWs can reach out to these government agencies for repatriation and other aid assistance, or can use the eGovPH app, official hotlines, email, or embassies. 

Debunked: Following the war in the Middle East, Rappler fact-checked a TikTok video that misrepresents Duterte’s meeting with Chinese Ambassador Jing Quan. The meeting was focused on strengthening bilateral relations rather than meant to request for assistance from China to evacuate overseas Filipino workers stranded in the Middle East. – Owenh Toledo/Rappler.com

Owenh Toledo is a graduate of Rappler’s fact-checking mentorship program. This fact check was reviewed by a member of Rappler’s research team and a senior editor. Learn more about Rappler’s fact-checking mentorship program here.

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