The mass repatriation of Filipinos caught in the ongoing unrest in the Middle East has begun, Malacañang announced.

Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Claire Castro confirmed that some Filipinos have started crossing the border from Israel. The government has also coordinated with Emirates Airlines for several commercial flights, and the return of Filipinos in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia is scheduled for March 14.

"The operation will be funded by the emergency repatriation fund of the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration or OWWA. From the UAE, we are currently finalizing the flight arrangements," Usec. Castro said.