Filipino repatriation requests from Israel climb as conflict escalates

More than a hundred Filipinos in Israel have requested repatriation amid rising tensions in the region, the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) said Tuesday.

Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Cacdac reported that repatriation requests increased from 109 on Monday to 150 on Tuesday. He noted that even before the recent exchange of attacks between Iran and Israel, 85 Filipinos had already expressed a desire to return home.

“And post-attack… after the attack, 65 [additional repatriation requests] and counting so 150 now,” Cacdac said. “It’s really mostly in Tel Aviv and the outskirts [location of those requesting repatriation.]”

Israel remains under Alert Level 2, which prohibits the deployment of new overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) to the country. Any changes to the alert level will depend on the assessment and recommendation of the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA).

DFA Undersecretary Eduardo de Vega said they are awaiting a recommendation from Philippine Ambassador to Israel Aileen Mendiola-Rau.

In Iran, only one OFW has requested repatriation so far. Cacdac said the DMW is coordinating with the Philippine Embassy in Tehran to assist the worker.

“We are likewise reaching out to our Embassy [Philippine Embassy in Tehran], Ambassador Manalo [Ambassador Roberto G. Manalo] to help this OFW who is seeking help in Iran. As I said, not many, less than a hundred OFWs, although an overwhelming number, a thousand or so, are married to Iranian nationals or children of Filipinas married to Iranian nationals.” 

Meanwhile, the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) reported updates on two injured OFWs. Administrator Patricia Yvonne Caunan said the Filipino initially in “moderately critical” condition has stabilized and is set for discharge.

Another OFW with a serious neck injury remains in critical condition but is showing signs of improvement and is being prepared for surgery.

“We hope that our prayers will continue to our countrymen who are in a critical situation. But we talked to the personnel of the DMW at OWA, the attending doctor, and they said that her condition is getting better from yesterday, we call on our countrymen to continue the prayers because there is a need for surgery,” Caunan said. 

Stranded OFWs back in Phl

In a related development, 10 OFWs who were supposed to be deployed to Jordan but became stranded in Dubai arrived in the Philippines on Tuesday. This follows the arrival of 18 other stranded workers on Monday.

“They’re newly hired, so we’re coordinating with their recruitment agency,” Cacdac said.

Another group of 17 stranded OFWs is expected to arrive by Wednesday.