Phl embassy in Israel yet to advise repatriation despite pleas

The Philippine Embassy in Israel has yet to issue an advisory on repatriation options for overseas Filipino workers (OFWs), even as the number of Filipinos seeking to return home continues to climb amid escalating conflict in the Middle East.

This comes as Israel ramps up efforts to bring back its own citizens stranded abroad.

According to a report by The New York Times on Wednesday morning (Philippine time), Israeli airline El Al has received government approval to operate special recovery flights for some of the estimated 100,000 to 150,000 Israelis stuck overseas due to the country’s airspace closure. Priority is being given to those in Athens, Rome, Milan, Paris, and Larnaca, Cyprus. Outbound passenger flights from Israel remain suspended.

In contrast, Filipino authorities are still assessing the situation on the ground. As of Tuesday, the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) said that at least 150 Filipinos in Israel have requested repatriation—up from 109 the day before. Most are located in Tel Aviv and nearby areas. The country remains under Alert Level 2, which prohibits the deployment of new OFWs but does not trigger mandatory evacuation.

Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Undersecretary Eduardo de Vega said the government is still awaiting a recommendation from Philippine Ambassador to Israel Aileen Mendiola-Rau regarding possible repatriation plans.

In Iran, the embassy has also yet to issue a public advisory, even as tensions remain high following several days of missile exchanges between Iran and Israel. One OFW in Iran has so far requested assistance. According to DMW Secretary Hans Cacdac, most Filipinos in Iran are married to locals or have dual citizenship, limiting repatriation requests.

Despite the absence of official advisories, the Philippine government has mobilized emergency measures for affected Filipinos in conflict zones. On Monday evening, the DMW confirmed that 14 OFWs caught in a missile strike on a residential building in Rehovot, Israel, have received assistance. Four were hospitalized, while others were given shelter, basic necessities, and financial aid.

“This is a continuing effort to provide all the necessary assistance to our kababayans as directed by our President,” Cacdac said, referring to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s instructions to prioritize OFW safety.

Eight of the affected OFWs have been relocated to safer accommodations. One opted to stay with a friend, and two others remain under medical care.

Meanwhile, 18 OFWs who had been stranded in Dubai due to the regional airport shutdown have safely returned to the Philippines. They had been bound for Tel Aviv and Amman but were unable to proceed with their deployment.

On DAILY TRIBUNE’s digital program Usapang OFW, hosts criticized the continued silence from Philippine embassies in Israel and Iran, urging both diplomatic posts and the DFA to communicate more proactively and clearly. They stressed the need for transparent updates and clear options for repatriation, especially for OFWs in danger zones.

As the conflict drags on and other nations activate emergency evacuations, calls are growing for Philippine officials to issue decisive guidance and support for the more than 50,000 Filipinos working and living in Israel.