Twenty-one Philippine government officials, who were recently in Israel for training and seminars, returned to Manila on Saturday after being safely evacuated to Jordan amidst escalating missile exchanges between Israel and Iran. Their arrival coincides with the Department of Foreign Affairs’ (DFA) decision on Friday, June 20, to raise the crisis alert level to Alert Level 3 for both Israel and Iran, formally urging all Filipinos in these nations to voluntarily return home.

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The officials landed at Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3, where they were welcomed by Interior and Local Government Secretary Jonvic Remulla. Their evacuation to Jordan, facilitated via the King Hussein Border, became necessary after Israel’s initial missile strikes on Iran on June 13 triggered a series of retaliatory bombardments, leading to airspace closures.

Under Alert Level 3, Filipinos currently residing in or traveling to Israel and Iran are strongly advised against doing so, and repatriation for those already there is voluntary. DFA Undersecretary Eduardo de Vega explained that evacuation routes include Jordan for Filipinos in Israel and Turkmenistan for those in Iran, a journey that can take 12 to 13 hours from Tehran. The government has pledged to cover repatriation costs and offer psychosocial support and other assistance upon their arrival in the Philippines.

De Vega noted that out of an estimated 30,000 Filipinos in Israel, 178 have so far expressed interest in returning, with 26 scheduled for repatriation in the coming week. This adds to the more than 1,300 Filipinos already repatriated from Israel since the conflict with Hamas began in October 2023. In Iran, where an estimated 1,000 to 1,200 Filipinos reside (many of whom are married to Iranian nationals), only 14 had initially sought to return.

Philippine Ambassador to Israel Aileen Mendiola stated that the escalating violence has resulted in eight injured Filipinos, one of whom remains in critical condition while seven have been discharged. A significant challenge for Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) wishing to leave Israel is the closure of Ben Gurion Airport, which hinders access to their savings. “This is one of the reasons why many of our countrymen are hesitant,” Mendiola explained, adding that they prefer to fly directly from Ben Gurion, which would prolong their stay.

The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) has also called on recruitment agencies to temporarily halt the deployment of OFWs to the region due to the heightened hostilities. Filipinos seeking repatriation assistance can contact the Department of Migrant Workers and Overseas Workers Welfare Administration through the 1348 hotline, or reach out to the Philippine Embassies in Tel Aviv (+972 54 466 1188, telaviv.pe@dfa.gov.ph) and Tehran (+989 12 213 6801, tehran.pe@dfa.gov.ph). The DFA stated that alert levels would be periodically reviewed based on the situation on the ground, expressing hope for a swift cessation of hostilities.