Flight of first batch of OFWs from Iraq may be affected due to Taal eruption

MANILA, Philippines — The flight of the first batch of overseas of Filipino workers (OFWs) returning home to the Philippines from Iraq might be affected by the Taal volcano eruption.

Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said Monday the first batch of OFWs will arrive in Doha from Iraq at 12:30 a.m. of Jan. 14 (Qatar time) for their flight to Manila.

“However, this still has to be finalized as all flights coming into Manila have been cancelled because of the Taal volcano eruption,” he said in a statement.

The OFWs would be accompanied home by Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III.

All flights at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport had been suspended since Sunday evening due to the ash explosion from Taal volcano. More than 500 flights have been affected due to the suspension.

But NAIA resumed partial operations on Monday morning.

Taal volcano remained at Alert level 4, which means “hazardous explosive eruption” is still possible within hours or days.

The Philippine government has been assisting the evacuation of Filipinos affected by the situation in the Middle East.

Tension between the United States and Iran escalated after an airstrike in Iraq killed Iran’s top general, Qassem Soleimani, last week. Iran retaliated by launching a dozen ballistic missiles on Iraqi bases housing American troops.