•1 Pinoy critically wounded in Israel
•18 OFWs stranded in Dubai repatriated
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. ordered key government agencies to be on “crisis mode” as missile strikes between Iran and Israel continue, with at least 18 OFWs bound for Tel Aviv and Amman repatriated yesterday after getting stranded in Dubai due to the shutdown of major airports in the Middle East.
“Right now, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), Department of Migrant Workers (DMW), and the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) are in crisis mode and on heightened alert to help the OFWs and their families,” Palace Press Officer Claire Castro on Monday said.
“The DMW and OWWA should ensure the safety and well-being of the OFWs affected by the tension here in the Middle East,” she added.
Asked if forced repatriation is being considered, Castro said: “We have not yet reached that point, but our agencies are ready if needed.”
There are over 2 million Filipinos working or residing in the Middle East. The DFA said about 50,000 are in Israel while approximately 2,000 are in Iran.
Philippine Ambassador to Israel Aileen Mendiola-Rau said eight Filipinos were brought to hospitals near Tel Aviv following Iran’s retaliatory missile strike Sunday.
Two remained hospitalized, including one who was critically injured.
“We have one particular case that is critical. We are monitoring this closely. We will see if he can get through today. There’s a chance he may need surgery,” the ambassador said in an interview with TeleRadyo.
A missile also earlier destroyed the home of a Filipina – who was then taking cover in a bomb shelter — west of Tel Aviv over the weekend.
Meanwhile, the 18 OFWs who arrived in Manila yesterday received immediate financial support and will be assisted for upskilling and sustainable reintegration, including livelihood assistance or skills training enhancement for redeployment options.
Castro said as part of the government’s response, a 24/7 Middle East Help Desk has been established by OWWA to provide faster and more accessible assistance to overseas workers in need.
For his part, Senate President Francis Escudero urged the government to “go the extra mile in locating and reaching out to Filipinos in Israel and Iran to determine who wants to get out of the two countries now.”
“It doesn’t matter if they are legally staying or undocumented. What is important is that Filipinos who fear for their safety and want to go home are assisted without delay,” Escudero said.
Speaker Martin Romualdez also called for restraint and renewed diplomacy amid rising hostilities.
“We expect our frontline agencies to remain vigilant and proactive in ensuring the safety and security of our kababayans, including possible repatriation plans should the situation worsen,” Romualdez said.
Iran launched missiles at Israeli cities Monday after Israeli strikes deep inside the Islamic republic, raising Israel’s death toll by 11 on day four of an escalating air war.
After decades of enmity and a prolonged shadow war, Israel on Friday launched a surprise aerial campaign targeting sites across Iran, saying the attacks aimed to prevent its arch-foe from acquiring atomic weapons — a charge Tehran denies.
Israel’s strikes have so far killed at least 224 people, including top military commanders, nuclear scientists and civilians, according to Iranian authorities.
In retaliation, Iran’s Revolutionary Guards said it had “successfully” struck Israel with a salvo of missiles and warned of “effective, targeted and more devastating operations” to come.
The Iranian attacks hit Tel Aviv, Bnei Brak, Petah Tikva and Haifa — with shattered homes, smoldering wreckage and stunned residents picking through debris. With AFP
Editor’s Note: This is an updated article. Originally posted with the headline “‘Crisis mode’ in Middle East as Marcos orders support for OFWs.”
