Hello, everyone @here! I hope you all are having a great Sunday night. This is a good read written by Multimedia reporter Bea Cupin: 'They were victims of a ruthless espionage scheme and of poverty and lack of opportunity — but they were also, no doubt, traitors' https://www.rappler.com/voices/newsletters/inside-the-newsroom-filipino-spies-chinese-espionage-investigation/

PH EMBASSY CHECKING REPORTED ARREST OF FILIPINOS IN UAE @here

In a post on Sunday, March 16, the Philippine Embassy in Abu Dhabi and the Consulate General in Dubai said they were "closely monitoring reports that Filipino nationals are among those arrested for posting and sharing videos and other online content related to the recent attacks and air defense interceptions in Dubai."

"Philippine officials have sought official confirmation and further details from the competent UAE authorities regarding the identity, status, and legal circumstances of any Filipino nationals involved," it added.

The embassy and consulate remind Filipinos working in the UAE to "exercise utmost caution and responsibility in their use of social media and messaging platforms."

They added: "Filipinos are advised to refrain from recording, posting, forwarding, or commenting on unverified or sensitive security‑related content; to avoid spreading rumors or speculative information and to rely only on official announcements of UAE authorities and credible news sources for information on ongoing security situations."

UAE officials had earlier reminded the public "that publishing or sharing misleading or fabricated security‑related content, including videos of air defence interceptions, attacks on landmarks, or AI‑generated false footage, is a criminal offense punishable by imprisonment and substantial fines," said the embassy.

PH expects 2,000 repatriates by weekend, 7,300 seafarers marked safe

Authorities expect a total of 2,000 successful government-sponsored repatriates by the end of the week, they mentioned during a press briefing on Tuesday, March 17.

“We’re expecting by the end of the week, or start of next week, Sunday… at around 2,000 govt-sponsored repatriation, and that’s around the number of requests for repatriation that we have confirmed,” Patricia Yvonne Cunanan, Overseas Workers Welfare Association (OWWA) Administrator, confirmed.

They’re also expecting six commercial flights to arrive in the Philippines today, carrying around 75 Filipinos.

Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac also shared that 7,255 workers have already been given basic and other forms of assistance since their operations started in late February.

Furthermore, the DMW and OWWA also shared that they have monitored 7,300 seafarers in and around the Persian Gulf, Strait of Hormuz, and Gulf of Oman – all of whom were marked safe. They are also now allowed the right to refuse sailing.

As for the missing seafarer in the Strait of Hormuz, Cacdac said, “We’re looking into the matter. Ganon na lang muna. We’re looking into the national sea-based rules on the matter.”

Read more about the how repatriation works, and what awaits repatriates when they arrive in the Philippines: https://www.rappler.com/philippines/overseas-filipinos/things-to-know-government-assistance-repatriation-ofws-middle-east/ @here

LOOK: Marcos welcomes Bhutan Prime Minister to Malacañang

Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay of Bhutan visited Malacañang Palace on March 19, the first leaders engagement between the Philippines and Bhutan since diplomatic relations were established in 2025.

In a post on social media, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. says of the meeting: "A good step forward as we begin building stronger ties in trade, tourism, vocational education, and technical cooperation between our peoples. We are off to a promising start."