At least 32 overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in Israel sought refuge in bomb shelters this week after Iran launched retaliatory missile strikes, Philippine Ambassador to Israel Aileen Mendiola reported on Monday.
Mendiola said the OFWs were residing in areas directly impacted by the recent attacks.
“They were able to go to the bomb shelters…Lahat sila safe,” the envoy said.
Mendiola reported that a total of 127 overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) have been affected by the recent missile attacks, with 118 of them already relocated to safer areas.
She added that 50 OFWs are scheduled for repatriation in the coming days. So far, 253 OFWs have formally requested repatriation assistance from the Philippine Embassy, not including the 26 who have already returned to the Philippines.
On Sunday, embassy personnel also helped 27 OFWs and one Filipino tourist reach the border near Jordan to exit the country safely.
Mendiola noted that movement across Israel remains restricted due to ongoing missile threats.
“Bumalik ulit ‘yung limited mobility katulad nung June 13 so ibig sabihin sarado ulit ‘yung mga opisina. Hindi pwedeng mag congregate ‘yung mga tao. So they are hunkering down, everyone is being asked to stay at home and near bomb shelters. Pwede pa ring lumabas para bumili ng pagkain,” she said.
Ambassador Aileen Mendiola also urged Filipinos in Israel to refrain from spreading false information, particularly claims that embassy personnel have already left the country.
“Ang kailangan natin sa mga kababayabn natin dito sa Israel, wag maglabas ng fake news naman. Kasi may fake news na umalis na daw ‘yung embassy. Ang mga taga embassy kami ang huling-huling aalis,” she said.
“Sana ay wala ng purveyors ng fake news, because we spend time cleaning up fake news. Ang importante is everyone becomes very responsible in their use of social media,” she added.
She expressed gratitude to community leaders and members who have stepped up by offering locations to preposition relief supplies and by opening their homes to shelter OFWs affected by the missile strikes.
