Gov’t mulls repatriation efforts as war escalates
Four unnamed Filipinos were hurt in intense retaliatory bombardment launched by Iran against Israel over the weekend, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) reported yesterday.
In a television interview, DFA Undersecretary Eduardo De Vega said the incident took place in Rehovot City, located some 20 kilometers south of Tel-Aviv.
He noted that a group of Filipinos were in a public park when Iranian missiles started falling from the skies, injuring four of them.
The DFA official said that 12 other Filipinos were also in the area but were unhurt.
“We are not sure if they were at the park [for leisure], or if they ran out of their houses out of fear [upon realizing that missiles were inbound],” De Vega told ABS-CBN in a mixture of Filipino and English.
“These incoming projectiles… are [usually] blocked by the Iron Dome… But some missiles manage to get through,” he added.
De Vega said that another Filipina residing in Ramat Gan City, located in Tel Aviv district, had to take shelter at a hotel after her house was destroyed in the bombardment.
“She escaped death because she [initially] sought refuge in a bomb shelter before the missile struck [her home],” the Philippine Embassy in Israel said in a social media post.
The Embassy has convened its crisis management team to study contingency measures, including possibly imposing voluntary or mandatory repatriation for the 30,000 Filipinos based in the Jewish state.
Philippine Ambassador to Israel Aileen Mendiola-Rau confirmed that previously identified shelters for Filipinos have been reactivated and essential goods have been prepositioned across various locations in Israel.
The team has discussed the purchasing of essential goods that can be distributed to Filipino communities in different locations across Israel, she added.
Meanwhile, the Philippine Air Force (PAF) assured its readiness to deploy planes in support of possible government-led operation to rescue Filipinos in conflict-stricken Israel.
“We are ready to respond in any eventuality that our air assets are needed through our inter-agency efforts for evacuation,” PAF Spokesperson Col. Ma. Consuelo Castillo told Manila Standard on Sunday.
She disclosed that C-130 aircraft have already been placed on standby in anticipation of such an evacuation activity.
“The PAF is a force provider for AFP-directed missions. If in case called upon by higher headquarters to assist in the evacuation/repatriation of Filipinos from conflict areas overseas, the PAF is capable for such missions using our heavy airlift aircraft such as the C130,” Castillo said.
As this developed, the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) reassured overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) and their families that support services remain available despite hostilities between Israel and Iran.
DMW Undersecretary Bernard Olalia said that the Philippine government’s contingency plans are already in place in case they are needed.
He also advised all OFWs in Israel and Iran to remain indoors and stay alert, and stay connected with the Philippine Embassy or MWOs in their respective host countries,” added the advisory.
Olalia appealed to Filipinos in Israel to avoid spreading unverified reports to avoid panicking their compatriots
Filipinos who need help were advised to call the DMW-OWWA 1348 Hotline while those abroad may contact +6321348.
For his part, Israel Ambassador to the Philippines, Ilan Fluss, said that protecting foreign nationals, including Filipinos, is critical amid the ongoing hostilities.
“We are committed to make sure that the Filipinos in Israel are safe and are getting the same treatment as any other Israeli and any other person in the state of Israel. We urge Filipinos in Israel to follow instructions from the home front command, these instructions will save lives,” he said Saturday evening.
There are about 30,000 Filipinos in Israel and 1,000 in Iran, based on Philippine government data.
Editor’s Note: This is an updated article. Originally posted with the headline: “4 Filipinos hurt in Iran retaliatory attacks on Israel—DFA”
