Filipinos to be repatriated at the ‘proper time’ – DMW
Israeli emergency responders cordon off the site of a rocket attack in the southern Israeli city of Ashdod on 9 October 2023. Israel relentlessly pounded the Gaza Strip early Monday as fighting raged with Hamas around the Gaza Strip and the death toll from the war against the Palestinian militants surged above 1,100. (Photo by AHMAD GHARABLI / AFP)
The Department of Migrant Workers said on Tuesday that Filipinos who asked to be back in the Philippines will be repatriated at the "proper time" amid the ongoing war between Israel and Palestine.
DMW Officer-in-Charge Hans Leo Cacdac stated that there would be safety and security concerns if they mass evacuate the affected Filipinos in Israel.
"We will conduct evacuation-repatriation for those who wish to return home at the right time, in coordination with the Israeli authorities. When it comes to the point of mandatory repatriation, we will also carry that out," Cacdac said
According to Cacdac, officials would continuously advise affected Filipinos to stay indoors or inside their bomb shelters to keep themselves safe.
"There's no question that this current conflict is unlike any other. The gravity of the situation now is really different. The option of evacuation-repatriation is always there" Cacdac said.
"We will balance it with the situation. Right now, the Israeli defense forces are operating on the ground. We don't know the extent of the operations regarding the conflict in the southern part," He added.
Cacdac stressed that seven Filipinos are still missing amid the war between Israel and Palestine.
The Department of Foreign Affairs earlier announced that a Filipino was reportedly abducted and six others were reported missing in the ongoing armed conflict.
Following Saturday's unexpected onslaught by Hamas and Israel's response attacks, at least 1,100 people were confirmed dead and many more were injured in both Israel and Gaza.
The Department of Foreign Affairs said that the Israel-based Filipino community was not asking for immediate repatriation. Authorities claimed that a repatriation strategy is in place and is prepared to be put into action if necessary.
The rescued Filipinos are staying in hotels accommodated by the kibbutz (Israeli commune), according to the Philippine Embassy in Israel on Monday.
DMW Labor Attaché Rodolfo Gabasan and personnel from the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration had also visited some of the Filipinos rescued from the Be'eri kibbutz to offer assistance and essential supplies.