17 PH mayors, local officials stranded in Israel –envoy

Israel Ambassador Ilan Fluss. (Photo: Israel in the Philippines/Facebook)

By Joyce Ann L. Rocamora, Sarwell Meniano, Philippine News Agency

MANILA – Seventeen Filipino local government officials, including mayors, are stranded in Israel where airspace and airports are closed due to Iran’s retaliatory air raids, Israel Ambassador to the Philippines Ilan Fluss confirmed on Tuesday.

Fluss said the 17 are part of a Philippine delegation conducting a study visit to exchange best practices on dairy farming.

The 17, along with five other Filipino visitors, are in the Jewish state under the Israeli government’s sponsorship.

“All of them are being taken care of by the Israeli government and we are also looking for ways to send them back to the Philippines —this is our responsibility and our commitment,” Fluss told reporters in an interview.

“I can tell you that they are being fed, have lodging, and whatever [they] need we are catering for. They are doing fine, of course it’s not a pleasant situation.”

Israel, he reiterated, is doubling efforts to facilitate the delegation’s return to the Philippines as early as possible.

“You have to understand that we are under fire, airspace in Israel is closed. We are trying to facilitate a way out because there are other countries in the region, it needs all kinds of special permits by other governments,” Fluss said.

“It’s a lot of coordination and this is exactly what we are trying to do now and I really hope that very soon, we can announce that they are on their way home.”

Among those stranded are Barugo, Leyte Mayor Aron Balais; Lawaan, Eastern Samar Mayor Athene Mendros; and Hindang, Leyte Mayor Betty Cabal.

In a message sent to Tacloban-based journalists on Monday, Balais said, they have been taking shelter inside a bomb-proof bunker near their hotel.

“In the past three days, we have been exploring where to exit, but all borders and airspace are closed. Our plan is to exit via Jordan, but it is very chaotic there,” Balais said.

The officials were supposed to conclude their foreign trip on June 20.