An abandoned Filipino child who spent nearly two years under the care of a state institution in Jordan was safely repatriated to the Philippines on Monday, the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) announced.

The child, who had been housed at the Al Hussein Social Foundation in Amman since August 2024, arrived Monday morning at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3 in Pasay City aboard a Qatar Airways flight.

A Migrant Workers Office case officer and an Assistance-to-Nationals official from the Philippine Embassy in Jordan accompanied the minor on the flight to Manila.

Upon arrival, the child was transferred to the Department of Social Welfare and Development’s Reception and Study Center for Children for long-term care and protection.

Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac and Undersecretary Jainal Rasul initially located the minor during a visit to the Jordanian childcare facility in August 2025.

Following the visit, Cacdac ordered legal teams in Jordan to exhaust all administrative and diplomatic routes to secure the child’s return.

Following the repatriation, the DMW issued a public appeal urging overseas Filipino workers, their families, and public servants to step up vigilance against illegal recruitment and human trafficking.

DMW Undersecretary Darlene Pajarito stressed that the public must learn to spot the warning signs of exploitation and deceptive recruitment practices.

“I hope that you will know by heart the acts, means, and purpose that would constitute trafficking,” Pajarito said. “The red flags are there, and each one of us must know where to go and who to report these cases to.”