PH still verifying reported kidnapping of Filipinos in Hamas attack

Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Eduardo Jose de Vega said contingency plans are in place and that an emergency meeting at the embassy was already convened to ensure the safety of the estimated 30,000 Filipinos in Israel. (File Photo By Patrick Roque, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0)

MANILA – The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) is still verifying the reported abduction of Filipino workers allegedly by Hamas militants who have launched a massive attack on Israel.

Foreign Affairs Spokesperson Ma. Teresita Daza said the Philippine Embassy in Tel Aviv received “unconfirmed reports” that some Filipinos working near the Israeli border were captured on Saturday morning.

“The Philippine Embassy in Tel Aviv has received these unconfirmed reports. We are still verifying them,” she said.

Daza, meanwhile, assured that all Filipino agrostudies students in Israel are “accounted for,” based on the latest update.

“We are, however, continuing to monitor the situation. We have asked the authorities to secure them,” she said.

Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Eduardo Jose de Vega said contingency plans are in place and that an emergency meeting at the embassy was already convened to ensure the safety of the estimated 30,000 Filipinos in Israel.

No Filipino was reported hurt as well, he reported.

“There are evacuation plans in place in case, but right now, according to our ambassador, there are no Filipino casualties and they’re checking with the Filipino community how they are,” he said in an ANC interview on Saturday.

The Department of Migrant Workers has set up a 24/7 Task Force Israel Desk for Filipinos in Israel, which may be reached at +63 2 1348 or via WhatsApp and Viber +63 9083268344, +63 9271478186, or +63 9205171059.