Philippine Ambassador to Israel Aileen Mendiola (left) coordinates with a group of overseas Filipinos, including a father cradling a two-month-old infant in Taba, Egypt. Philippine Ambassador to Israel Aileen Mendiola confirmed on Friday (March 20, 2026) that about 106 Filipinos were repatriated through various border crossings in Egypt and Jordan to ensure their safety amid ongoing tensions in the region. (Photo courtesy of Philippine Embassy in Israel)
The Philippine government has safely repatriated 106 Filipinos from Israel as security tensions continue to grip the region, with Philippine Ambassador to Israel Aileen Mendiola confirming on Friday that multiple border routes were used to bring affected nationals home.
Speaking in an interview on Bagong Pilipinas Ngayon, Mendiola said the embassy coordinated the repatriation through Egypt and Jordan to ensure the safe and orderly exit of Filipinos seeking to return to the Philippines.
“We repatriated or assisted in the repatriation of 106 na kababayan natin. Ang 77 dito, dinaan namin via Egypt. Actually kahapon, nagpa-repat kami ng 26 mga kababayan natin, kasama doon iyong isang two-month-old baby, infant; iyong iba dinaan namin via Amman,” Mendiola said.
Of the total number, 26 Filipinos in the latest batch crossed through the Taba Border into Egypt, while 28 others were assisted through Jordan via the Allenby and Sheikh Hussein border crossings. One Filipino, meanwhile, was able to leave immediately on a humanitarian flight.
Despite the continuing unrest, only a small number of Filipinos in Israel have so far expressed interest in returning home. Based on recent figures, around 81 individuals have signified their intent to be repatriated. Data from Israel’s immigration office as of February showed that 26,675 Filipinos remain in the country, most of them working as caregivers.
Mendiola said many overseas Filipino workers have chosen to stay because of the stability of their jobs and the presence of safety infrastructure in Israel. She also dismissed reports claiming migrant workers were being denied access to bomb shelters, stressing that Israeli law requires shelters to be open to الجميع, including foreign workers.
To support the Filipino community on the ground, the Philippine Embassy has rolled out a range of assistance measures, including the distribution of 665 food packs to hotel workers and the continued operation of communication channels through WhatsApp and social media.
The ambassador also urged Filipinos in Israel to remain alert and prepared by downloading the “Home Front Command” app and keeping “Go Bags” ready with essential documents, food, water, and medicines.
“Importante kapag tumunog iyon, iyong first na tunog pa lang, leave everything, go to the shelter, seek shelter immediately. Don’t do anything else,” Mendiola said, underscoring the need to prioritize safety at the first sign of danger.
She likewise warned against the spread of AI-generated fake news and misleading images circulating online, including fabricated visuals of supposedly destroyed areas. Mendiola urged families of overseas Filipino workers to verify information through direct communication with their loved ones and through official embassy channels.