PH extends legal aid to 3 OFWs arrested in UAE over attack videos

By Marita Moaje, Philippine News Agency

(Department of Migrant Workers/facebook)

MANILA – Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac has assured full legal assistance and continued support for the three overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) who were arrested for allegedly posting videos of missile attacks and violating the United Arab Emirates (UAE) security measures.

Cacdac assured that the Philippine government has assigned a lawyer for the arrested OFWs and that the DMW is in close coordination with the Philippine Embassy in the UAE through Ambassador Alfonso Ferdinand Ver.

“We were working closely with Ambassador Ver and the Philippine Embassy in the UAE to provide legal and other forms of assistance,” Cacdac said in a press briefing on Tuesday.

Cacdac said the assigned retained lawyer will have a legal course of action to defend the three OFWs.

“I can’t give details on the legal courses of action, but rest assured, we have a lawyer assigned… and that lawyer has been tasked to see them wherever they are currently detained.”

Cacdac confirmed that all three individuals are OFWs.

He said aside from legal representation, the DMW is also in touch with their families.

The arrests stemmed from alleged violations of UAE security rules, particularly involving the documentation and posting of videos related to attacks amid heightened tensions in the Middle East region.

UAE authorities have tightened enforcement of cybercrime and information laws, particularly on filming and posting video materials related to the attacks in the country.

Cacdac reiterated the earlier advisory by the Philippine Embassy in the UAE, calling on Filipinos to strictly follow the host country laws.

“First and foremost, patuloy ang ating pagku-caution, bigay caution sa ating mga kababayan na (we continue to exercise caution, advising our fellow citizens to) please abide by host country protocols and security regulations,” Cacdac said.

“So in this case, pinagbabawal ang posting ng documentations or videos of attacks (posting of documentations or videos of attacks is prohibited). So please refrain or do not video nor post such images of attacks in your respective host country, in this case, particularly the UAE,” he added.

Recent reports indicate that multiple individuals of different nationalities, including Filipinos, have been arrested in the UAE for posting or sharing videos of missile and drone attacks, as authorities move to curb misinformation and prevent public panic during the ongoing regional conflict.

The Philippine Embassy in Abu Dhabi said upon receiving information of the arrest, it immediately verified the reports, including the circumstances, identities, and current whereabouts of the concerned individuals.

It added that a request has also been submitted to the relevant UAE authorities for a consular visit to the arrested nationals.

Cacdac assured the Philippine government will continue to assist the arrested OFWs.

“So we continue to provide legal and other forms of assistance. But rest assured, we are, together with Ambassador Ver, Sec. (Tess) Lazaro, we are helping because this is one of the duties or tasks that we are ordained to do based on the directive of the President,” Cacdac said.