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AS hostilities continue to escalate in the Middle East, more overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) are now looking to be repatriated, according to the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW).
In a press briefing, Migrant Workers Undersecretary Felicitas Bay said the number of OFWs availing the voluntary repatriation program of the DMW has jumped to 311.
“We continue to encourage OFWs to come home. But we also have to understand if they change their mind,” Bay said.
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She said 26 OFWs were set to arrive last night, while 50 others are coming home on Thursday or Friday.
Another batch of 20 OFWs, she said, are also ready to go home although their repatriation date remains tentative.
Bay said the Philippine government is eyeing the possibility of chartering a flight, if the need arises.
“Should the number escalate, we are at this point of considering or studying availing of chartered flight,” she said.
Bay said they will still need to consider several factors, including restrictions of airspace and host country permits, before opting for chartered flights.
The Philippine Air Force (PAF) said it has put on standby its transport aircraft for the repatriation of Filipinos in Israel and Iran who are affected by the conflict between the countries.
“We will make it available in case it is needed,” Air Force chief Lt. Gen. Arthur Cordura told a press briefing at Villamor Air Base yesterday, referring to the PAF’s C-130 aircraft.
“The coordination for the repatriation is at the agency, it is being discussed at the agency level and we will subscribe to whatever decisions they will have,” Cordura also said.
He said the Air Force “will always be ready to be involved in the repatriation activities. We can commit a platform… In the event that it will be available on the day and date we requested, we will commit it.”
President Marcos Jr. has ordered concerned government agencies to take necessary steps to ensure the safe, timely and orderly return of Filipinos who will volunteer to be repatriated amid the escalating conflict in the two Arab states.
The Philippine government has raised Alert Level 3 in Israel and Iran, which calls for the voluntary repatriation of Filipinos from these areas.
“In case the (PAF) platform is not required, there are other ways that we can support the repatriation. We have specialized personnel in terms of CBRN (chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear),” Cordura said.
“We can also deputize our technical, medical personnel in the repatriation activities,” he added.
Armed Forces spokesman Col. Francel Margareth Padilla said they are ready to assist in bringing home Filipinos in Israel and Iran.
“Our focus is the repatriation to make sure that our countrymen will come home safe,” said Padilla.
“All hands on deck, all of our assets are well-prepared to be deployed accordingly,” she also said, adding such assets will be dispatched once the go signal is given by higher civilian authorities.
DELAYED HOMECOMING
The arrival of the first batch of 31 OFWs, who sought repatriation due to the escalation of tension between Iran and Israel, was delayed yesterday.
In a social media post on early Tuesday, Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac said their flight from Doha, Qatar was delayed due to the closure of the airspace.
“We were asked to deplane and stay safely inside the terminal at Doha Hamad International Airport,” said Cacdac.
Aside from Cacdac, also on the flight are 26 OFWs from Israel, three from Jordan, one from Palestine, and one from Qatar.
The closure of Qatar’s airspace comes in the wake of the missile attack by Iran launched on an American air base in the country.
Shortly before noon, Cacdac and the OFWs were allowed to fly home from Qatar on board Qatar Airways Flight QR 934.
“We are boarded for home. Thank you all for your prayers and support,” said Cacdac in a separate social media post.
They were expected to return home last night at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) – Terminal 3 in Pasay City.
The 31 OFWs are set to be welcomed by a whole-of-government team to provide immediate financial support worth P150,000, airport assistance, temporary shelter, and onward transportation to their respective provinces.
They are also set to be provided psychosocial counseling, medical assistance, skills training for upskilling, redeployment options, and business and livelihood support.
NO FILIPINO HURT IN QATAR
Meanwhile, the Philippine Embassy in Doha said no Filipinos were hurt in the Iranian missile attack on an American military base in Qatar on Monday night.
“Batay sa mga pahayag ng mga kinauukulan sa bansang Qatar, walang nasawi o nasaktan sa pagtatapos ng pag-atake nitong gabi (Based on the announcement of Qatari authorities, no one died or was injured in the attack that ended last night),” the embassy said in a post on its social media account on Tuesday morning.
The embassy said Qatari authorities have assured its citizens and foreign nationals that they are ready to respond to any threats to the nation.
Despite the assurance, the embassy reminded Filipinos in Qatar to monitor the news so they can be updated on the latest developments and to follow the advisories issued by the embassy and local authorities.
“Manatiling maalam, listo, mahinahon, at handa (Be informed, alert and ready),” it said.
On Monday night, Iran launched a missile attack on Al Udeid air base in Qatar, which hosts US military forces, following the US’ attack over the weekend on three nuclear-related facilities in Iran.
Meanwhile, the Philippine embassies in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Iraq also advised Filipinos to stay alert and exercise caution amid the developing security situation in the region.
The embassy in Riyadh asked Filipinos to monitor the news and updates on the situation through reputable sources and by checking advisories issued by the embassy, the consulate in Jeddah, and Saudi authorities.
“The Philippine Embassy in Riyadh and the Philippine Consulate General in Jeddah stand ready to provide the necessary assistance to all Filipinos in the Kingdom,” it said.
Filipinos in Iraq were likewise told to take shelter, monitor the news for updates, and contact the Embassy Hotline at +964 783 700 5457 for emergencies.
“Filipino nationals are strongly advised to avoid unnecessary travel to Iraq due to the prevailing security situation in the region, following the developments in Iran, and the closure of the air space in Iraq,” the embassy said in an advisory.
“If movement cannot be avoided, Filipinos already in Iraq are advised to avoid public places, monitor ongoing news, exercise extreme caution and remain vigilant for their own safety and security. Iraq remains at Alert Level 3 status,” it added.
There are an estimated 2.1 million Filipinos in the Middle East, including 222,563 in Qatar.
In a related development, the Philippine Embassy in Washington D.C. urged Filipinos in the US to monitor announcements and advisories from the US Department of Homeland Security for updates due to the heightened threat environment alert in the United States following the airstrikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities.
The embassy noted that American authorities have warned about the increased likelihood of extremists “independently mobilizing to violence in response to the conflict” if the Iranian leadership issues a religious ruling calling for retaliatory violence against targets in the US.
“The Philippine Embassy advises members of the Filipino Community across the United States to exercise caution, ensure personal safety, and report observed suspicious activities to local authorities and public safety officials,” the embassy said.
Philippine Ambassador to Washington Jose Manuel Romualdez has earlier called on Filipinos in the United States to be on alert following the US air and missile strikes on Iran.
There are over 4.6 million Filipinos and Filipino-Americans in the US.
‘SPREAD GOOD’
Israeli Ambassador to Manila Ilan Fluss yesterday said his country will remain strong and continue to “spread good all over the world” amid the heightened tension between his country and Iran and the developing security situation in the Middle East.
In a media briefing in Makati hours after Iran launched a missile attack on an American military base in Qatar and after US President Donald Trump announced a ceasefire to end the war between Israel and Iran, Fluss defended the action taken by his government against Tehran.
“Iran is not only a concern for Israel, it is a threat to the world,” he said, adding that he is hopeful that the actions taken by the Israeli government to remove the threat posed by Iranian nuclear weapons development and ballistic missiles will “lead to a safer Israel, a safer region, and a safer world.”
“At this stage, we are focusing on eliminating the imminent threat of nuclear weapons and ballistic missiles,” he added.
Fluss, whose stint as Israel’s top envoy to Manila is set to end next month, said despite the threats and challenges, his country and its people will not only survive but continue to thrive in the region.
“We are a resilient people. We are here to stay. Israel will continue to spread good all over the world,” he said.
Also during the briefing, Fluss touted the strong bilateral relationship between Israel and the Philippines, saying that Israelis know that they can count on the support of Filipinos.
He said the ties have further deepened between the two countries over the years.
He also highlighted the strong people-to-people relationship between Israelis and Filipinos.
He said Manila is set to send more Filipino students to study agriculture in his country, which he said he discussed with Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. last Monday.
“We discussed further collaboration in agriculture. We have 700 Filipino interns in agriculture in Israel,” Fluss said, adding they decided to remain in Israel despite the war with Iran.
“They decided to stay there. They are okay, they do not want to leave. It’s a very strong message that they feel confident and safe in Israel,” he said.
There are around 30,000 Filipinos living and working in Israel.
Fluss said a group of Israeli doctors has recently completed their mission to share their knowledge and expertise with the Department of Health.
Fluss also said Israeli companies, including one involved in poultry production, are set to invest in the Philippines.
Israeli defense companies such as Elbit are also major suppliers of military products to the Philippines.
Tel Aviv has sold to Manila long-range air defense radars, secure communication systems, three batteries of the Spyder surface-to-air missile systems, fast attack craft for the navy and Sabrah medium tank armored personnel carriers, missiles, 155mm self-propelled artillery and mobile 120 and 81mm mortar systems to the army.
HOLD PRICE HIKES
Meanwhile, Sen. Imee Marcos yesterday called on oil companies to put on hold their second round of oil price increases following the announcement of ceasefire between Israel and Iran.
In a statement, Marcos said oil companies must be “prudent” in increasing fuel prices since this affects the costs of basic commodities, especially diesel prices which directly impacts the country’s food supply during the rainy season.
“We should further gear up for the possible impact on our economy, especially with regards to future oil price hikes. I appeal that the second round of oil price increases be put on hold in view of the announced ceasefire,” she said. – With Victor Reyes, Ashzel Hachero and Raymond Africa
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