DFA to help Filipinos facing deportation in Israel

FILE: Presidential Spokesperson and Chief Presidential Legal Counsel Secretary Salvador Panelo holds a press briefing for the Malacañang Press Corps (MPC) on Monday, November 26, 2018, at the New Executive Building (NEB) in Malacañang. (Photo: Office of the Presidential Spokesperson/Facebook)

MANILA — The Department of Foreign of Affairs (DFA) will provide assistance to hundreds of Filipinos in Israel who are facing deportation, Malacañang said on Monday.

Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo made this assurance following reports that hundreds of overstaying Filipino families, particularly mothers and their children, are at risk of being deported.

“I’m sure the Secretary of Foreign Affairs will do something about it. Di natin pababayaan ‘yan, (We won’t leave them behind),” Panelo told reporters in a media interview.

Reports showed that hundreds of Filipino families face deportation over their loss of residency status, according to the United Children of Israel (UCI) association.

Children of Filipino mothers who entered Israel legally as caregivers or domestic helpers have no status because their mothers’ working permits had not been renewed.

Earlier, the DFA said it has already raised the deportation issue with the Israel Ministry of Foreign Affairs and has asked the ministry to treat overstaying Filipinos who need to be repatriated “in an orderly and benignant manner, especially since children may be involved.”

The DFA also asked Filipino workers to observe Israel’s immigration laws.