Philippines – After spending almost two years under the care of a child welfare institution in Jordan, an abandoned Filipino child has finally set foot on Philippine soil. The boy landed at Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 3 in Pasay City on the morning of July 6, 2026, aboard Qatar Airways Flight QR934.
According to an update from the Migrant Workers Office (MWO) in Jordan, the child had been living at the Al Hussein Social Foundation, a child care facility, since August 2024. His return marks the end of a long process to reunite him with his home country and connect him with the proper support services.
A Long-Awaited Journey Home
The child did not travel alone. He was accompanied throughout the trip to Manila by two officials from the Philippine Embassy in Jordan:
- Mohamad K. Ismail – MWO-LH Case Officer
- Charisse Malaban – ATN (Assistance-to-Nationals) Officer
Their presence ensured that the child was cared for during the flight and handed over safely once he arrived. Traveling as a minor across borders is no simple matter, and having trained officers by his side made the transition smoother.
Turned Over to DSWD Care
Shortly after landing, the child was transferred to the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD). Specifically, he was placed under the Reception and Study Center for Children (RSCC), a facility that offers protection, care, and assistance to minors in need.
The RSCC will now take charge of the child’s welfare, giving him a safe environment while officials work out the next steps for his long-term care.
How the Rescue Started
The effort to bring the child home traces back to August 2025. During that month, Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Leo J. Cacdac visited the Al Hussein Social Foundation together with Undersecretary Jainal T. Rasul.
It was during this visit that they learned about the child’s situation firsthand. Moved by the case, Secretary Cacdac gave clear instructions to the ATN team’s legal retainers in Jordan: exhaust every possible effort to bring the child safely back to the Philippines.
That directive set the wheels in motion. Over the following months, the ATN team worked through the legal and logistical hurdles needed to make the repatriation happen.
The successful arrival shows how government agencies and embassy staff can come together to protect vulnerable Filipinos abroad, no matter how young or how far from home.