The Philippine government is providing full legal assistance to three overseas Filipino workers arrested in the United Arab Emirates for allegedly posting videos related to missile attacks, amid tightened security measures and enforcement of cybercrime laws in the Gulf state.
Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac said Tuesday that the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) has assigned a retained lawyer to defend the three OFWs and is coordinating closely with the Philippine Embassy in the UAE, led by 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 told reporters during a press briefing.
Cacdac confirmed the individuals are all overseas Filipino workers and that the assigned lawyer has been tasked with pursuing legal action and visiting them at their detention locations, though he declined to disclose specific strategies.
The DMW is also in contact with the workers’ families to offer support and updates.
The arrests follow reports of multiple people of various nationalities detained in the UAE for filming, posting or sharing videos and images of missile interceptions, drone attacks or related incidents. UAE authorities have intensified crackdowns on such content to prevent misinformation, curb public panic and protect national security during heightened regional tensions in the Middle East.
Philippine officials have reiterated earlier embassy advisories urging Filipinos in the UAE to strictly comply with local laws.
“First and foremost, we continue to exercise caution, advising our fellow citizens to please abide by host country protocols and security regulations,” Cacdac said. “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.”
The Philippine Embassy in Abu Dhabi acted swiftly upon learning of the arrests, verifying the individuals’ identities, circumstances and whereabouts with UAE authorities. It has requested consular access to visit the detained nationals.
Cacdac emphasized the government’s ongoing commitment to assisting the workers.
“So we continue to provide legal and other forms of assistance. But rest assured, we are, together with Ambassador Ver [and others], helping because this is one of the duties or tasks that we are ordained to do based on the directive of the President,” he said.
The incident highlights the strict regulations on online content in the UAE, where violations of cybercrime and information laws — including prohibitions on sharing footage that could disturb public order — can lead to detention, fines or imprisonment. Similar arrests have affected expatriates and visitors of different nationalities in recent days as authorities seek to control narratives around the conflict.
