FACT CHECK: Baste Duterte did not ask China to evacuate OFWs in the Middle East

Claim: Davao City Mayor Sebastian “Baste” Duterte sought assistance from China to help evacuate overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) stranded in the Middle East.

 Rating: FALSE

Why we fact-checked this: The TikTok video containing the claim has 584,300 views, 67,300 likes, 3,362 comments, and 5,279 shares as of this posting.

Text overlaid on the video reads: “Baste Duterte, humingi ng tulong sa China para sa paglikas ng mga Pinoy sa Middle East. Thank you, Mayor Baste. Hindi man nila binalita, lamang pa rin ang Pilipinong may alam.”

(Baste Duterte asked China to help evacuate Filipinos in the Middle East. Thank you, Mayor Baste. Even if the news didn’t report it, Filipinos who know the truth still know better.)

The caption in the post states: “Dahil iniisip niya lang ang kapakanan ng ating mga kababayan, siya lang ang naglakas-loob na gumawa ng paraan kahit na maraming hindi matutuwa o sasang-ayon sa kanya. I’ll stand for you sa ginawa mo, Mayor Baste Duterte. Salamat and God bless. Sana ay magtagumpay ka.”

(Because he is only thinking about the welfare of our fellow Filipinos, he was the only one brave enough to find a way — even if many people might not like it or agree with him. I’ll stand by you for what you did, Mayor Baste Duterte. Thank you and God bless. I hope you succeed.)

The facts: Duterte did not seek assistance from China to evacuate OFWs stranded in the Middle East. There are no official statements or credible news reports indicating that the Davao City mayor requested such help.

The photo circulating online actually shows Duterte welcoming Jing Quan to Davao City on January 26, 2026, during the ambassador’s official two-day visit. According to Duterte’s Facebook post, the visit was focused on “strengthening bilateral relations and local-level cooperation,” including Chinese-funded infrastructure projects in Davao such as the Davao-Samal Island Connector bridge and the Davao River Bridge.

The visit occurred amid ongoing tensions between Beijing and Philippine lawmakers over South China Sea disputes, following public criticisms by the Chinese embassy and a resolution signed by 15 senators condemning its statements. The meeting had nothing to do with evacuating overseas Filipino workers, and the photo is being used out of context to suggest an event that never took place.

Repatriation for OFWs: An estimated 2.4 million Filipinos are living in the Middle East, many as OFWs in countries such as Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar, and Kuwait. Of these, about 1.1 million are land-based OFWs, who collectively send billions of pesos in remittances — over $6.48 billion in 2025 alone — supporting millions of households in the Philippines. (READ: IN NUMBERS: Overseas Filipinos under threat in the Middle East)

Following US and Israeli military attacks on Iran, around 86,000 Filipinos are in areas where the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) has raised crisis alerts. Under the Philippine government’s system, Alert Level 3 triggers voluntary repatriation, while Alert Level 4 mandates evacuation. For now, Filipinos in affected areas are advised to shelter in place and follow host-country guidance.

Repatriation and other assistance are coordinated by the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA), Department of Migrant Workers (DMW), and DFA. OFWs can request help via official hotlines, email, the eGovPH app, or embassies. (READ: FAST FACTS: Gov’t aid for overseas Filipinos affected by Middle East war)

Those who are repatriated receive reintegration support, including temporary accommodation, basic necessities, psychosocial and medical aid, social security benefits, housing, employment assistance, skills training, and livelihood grants.

OFWs stranded in host countries are assisted with shelters, airport support, and essential services until repatriation or safe accommodation is secured.  – Marjuice Destinado/Rappler.com

Marjuice Destinado is a senior political science student at Cebu Normal University (CNU) and an alumna of the Aries Rufo Journalism Fellowship of Rappler for 2025.