Bodies of OFWs killed in Yemen attack back in Phl

MANILA, Philippines - The remains of some of the overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) who were killed in a suicide bombing incident in Yemen were brought back home to the Philippines on Tuesday.

An Emirates Airlines flight that carried the bodies of four slain OFWs arrived at the Ninoy International Airport this morning, according to television and radio reports.

Three more bodies will arrive Tuesday afternoon at the Diosdado Macapagal International Airport in Clark, Pampanga.

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) had said the seven OFWs were medical workers at a hospital inside Yemen's Defense Ministry complex where the explosion occurred on December 5.

The Filipino victims were among the 52 killed. Eleven other OFWs also sustained minor injuries.

The DFA said the families of each of the fatalities will also receive compensation from the hospital management equivalent to the one-year salary of the deceased OFWs.

Yemeni President Abdo Rabbo Mansour Hadi also ordered the conferment of a medal of duty to Dr. Ruben Valenzuela, one of the Filipino casualties.

"Like the Yemeni fatalities, the President called the Filipino victims martyrs. He said that they will not forget their noble deeds in the service of Yemen," the DFA said.

The 27 Filipino workers who survived the attack will also receive compensation equivalent to their three months salary.

The DFA said a flight back to the Philippines is now being arranged for the survivors.