By CHRIS V. PANGANIBAN
SAN FRANCISCO, Agusan del Sur — Filipino workers in Qatar are divided over whether to return home or remain in the Gulf state as regional tensions escalate, with those who have families in the country more inclined to leave while many others prefer to stay to keep their jobs.
According to Darlene Regis, am Overseas Filipino Worker (OFW) working in the hospitality sector, concerns about safety vary among Filipinos depending on their family situation.
“OFWs who have children living here are the ones who want to go home, while most others prefer to stay so they can keep their jobs,” Regis said.
Still, she said many Filipinos have become cautious about what they post online as authorities warn against spreading unverified information about the security situation.
Regis said residents were reminded to avoid circulating rumors after reports that authorities had arrested individuals accused of spreading misleading claims about recent developments.
Citing a report by The Peninsula Qatar, she said the Qatari Economic and Cyber Crimes Combatting Department had arrested 194 individuals of various nationalities for producing and sharing misleading information and rumors, according to the Ministry of Interior of Qatar.
Because of this, she said many Filipinos in Qatar are now careful about posting on social media while closely monitoring official advisories and waiting for the situation to stabilize.
Regis, who has been working in Qatar for a decade, said daily routines have also changed as companies shift to remote work in response to the tensions. A former writer for Cebu Daily News, she is currently a contributor to Qatar Tribune.
“For the past six days, we have been working from home due to the ongoing conflict and the reported Iran strikes in Qatar,” she said.
“Our daily work operations have been affected, so some of us are working remotely. We hear explosions, but we are currently safe and have only been advised to stay indoors.”
She added that Hamad International Airport remains closed, limiting travel options for residents who might want to leave.
“For now, since the situation is still under control, we continue working remotely and hope things will return to normal soon,” Regis said.
Despite the uncertainty, she said she has no immediate plans to leave.
“Honestly, I do not wish to leave Qatar. For the past 10 years, it has become my second home,” she said. “I feel safe here and truly at home. I have full confidence in Qatar’s defense capabilities to withstand this challenge.”
Another Filipino resident, Luisa Bernabe, who has lived in Qatar for 19 years, echoed the same sentiment, saying she and her family have long felt protected under the country’s leadership.
“Through the years, my family and I have always felt safe and protected because of the strong leadership and preparedness of Qatar’s government and military,” she said.
Even while hearing and feeling blasts, Bernabe said she never lost confidence in the government’s ability to safeguard residents.
“I never lost faith in Qatar’s ability to protect its people, including the many nationalities who live and thrive here,” she said.
Bernabe also pointed to the government’s rapid crisis response, including clear communication, security measures, and the quick shift to remote work and schooling while maintaining access to essential services and goods.
“It is reassuring to see how every aspect is carefully managed to ensure the safety and well-being of everyone,” she said, adding that she hopes the Philippines could achieve a similar level of preparedness in times of crisis.
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