Senate President Francis “Chiz” G. Escudero on Monday called on Philippine authorities to extend assistance to all Filipinos—whether documented or not—residing in Israel and Iran who wish to return home, and to prepare swift repatriation plans amid the escalating conflict between the two nations.
Escudero said the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) and Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) should lead efforts in locating Filipinos in these warring nations and prepare plans at once to get them out of Israel and Iran.
“The DFA and DMW should 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,” the Senate President noted.
“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,” he added.
Escudero also emphasized the importance of existing contingency plans by government agencies, designed to respond to situations like natural disasters or armed conflicts in regions with a large population of Filipinos.
“Mahaba na ang karanasan ng ating gobyerno sa ganitong mga sitwasyon. May pondo tayo para sa pagpapauwi ng ating mga kababayan tuwing may gulo sa mga bansang kanilang kinaroroonan. Ang mahalaga ay matukoy agad kung nasaan ang mga kababayan natin at alukin ng biyahe pauwi ang mga may panganib sa kanilang buhay,” he further explained.
Escudero said the DMW should subject the Filipinos, particularly those who were directly affected by the conflict, to stress debriefing following the repatriation.
He added that Filipinos who choose to remain in the country should be given proper guidance on available career opportunities—a step he emphasized as crucial, given the disruption of their employment in the conflict-affected areas.
“It is imperative that repatriated Filipinos who wish to remain in the country are provided with the opportunities and the tools needed to start fresh,” Escudero said.
Last week, Israel launched strikes targeting Iran’s nuclear and military facilities, which it claimed were aimed at preventing Tehran from developing a nuclear weapon.
In retaliation, Iran fired missiles and conducted air strikes against Israel, where approximately 50,000 Filipinos currently reside.
According to the latest data from the DFA, there are 30,742 Filipinos currently in Israel and at least 1,180 in Iran, the majority of whom are married to Iranian nationals.
