26 Filipinos in Israel expected to return to PH this weekend –DFA

By Joyce Ann L. Rocamora, Philippine News Agency

In a Bagong Pilipinas Ngayon interview, de Vega said the initial 26 are those whose exit documents or passports are ready for departure. (PNA file photo by Joan Bondoc)

MANILA – The 26 out of the 178 Filipinos who signified their intention to leave Israel are expected to return to the Philippines this week, Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Eduardo Jose de Vega said on Thursday.

In a Bagong Pilipinas Ngayon interview, de Vega said the initial 26 are those whose exit documents or passports are ready for departure.

The first group will cross the border to Jordan where they will take their flight out for the Philippines.

“Uuwi sila possibly this weekend. In fact, susunduin pa sila sa Jordan ng DMW (Department of Migrant Workers) Secretary (Hans Leo Cacdac) para kasama sila (They will return home possibly this weekend. In fact, they will be received by DMW Secretary in Jordan),” he said.

He assured that the Philippine government, through the DFA and the Philippines Embassies in Tel Aviv and Amman, is doubling down on efforts to facilitate the repatriation of those who want to leave.

Assistance, he said, is also being extended to Filipinos injured and displaced by the hostilities.

The Philippines is expected to raise the alert levels in Israel and Iran to voluntary repatriation by the end of the day.

There are more than 30,000 Filipinos residing and working in Israel. Since the Oct. 7 Hamas attack on Israel, de Vega said only less than 2,000 have sought assistance for repatriation.