The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said Sunday that only a small number of Filipinos have so far requested government assistance for repatriation from Israel and Iran despite escalating tensions in the Middle East.

In a radio interview, DFA Undersecretary Bob Ferrer said at least 121 Filipinos in Israel have expressed a desire to return to the Philippines while only nine have done so in Iran so far.

The Philippine government raised the alert level to 3 in Israel and Iran on Friday amid missile exchanges between the two countries. Alert Level 3 means the government may carry out voluntary repatriations of Filipinos in both countries.

Ferrer explained that many Filipinos feel “at home” in their host countries, and financial considerations play a significant role in their decision to stay.

“In Iran, they are married to Iranian men — many of them. Many of them have established roots in Iran. So, there’s no longer a need for our countrymen abroad to rush home,” he said.

“Of course, they want to earn. In Israel for example, the minimum salary there is $1,600 a month. They don’t want to give up,” he added.

According to the DFA, Israel is second home to at least 30,742 Filipinos while there are 1,180 Filipinos in Iran.

Repatriation ongoing

Ferrer said the Philippine government, in coordination with the Philippine Embassy in Israel, is currently processing the repatriation of 26 overseas Filipino workers from the country.

He said the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) is overseeing the repatriation, with the return of the affected individuals already scheduled.

Due to ongoing hostilities, Israel’s airports and seaports remain closed, leaving those seeking repatriation with no choice but to travel by land to Jordan.

“The land border with Jordan is open. They can cross, but they must do it through the embassy,” he said, adding that Filipino nationals must also secure flight tickets to Manila.

Meanwhile, Filipinos seeking repatriation from Iran will need to undertake a 13-hour land journey to Turkmenistan before they can return to the Philippines.