Manila, June 16 -- The Philippine government is ramping up efforts in protecting overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) caught in the Middle East crossfire amid the escalating tension between Israel and Iran.

On Monday, the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) and the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) welcomed 18 OFWs repatriated by the Philippine government at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 1 in Pasay City.

During a media briefing, Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac said one of the OFWs is in critical condition at a hospital intensive care unit in Israel, while another is reportedly in a moderate but more stable condition after being injured during Iranian missile attacks that hit parts of the foreign coun...