Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac assured that the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) is prepared to carry out a mass evacuation of overseas Filipinos from Israel if the conflict with Iran worsens.
Cacdac made the statement during the Philippine Independence Day celebrations at the Dubai World Trade Center (DWTC), which was attended by Filipinos in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
“Nakahanda tayo. Pero di pa isinasagawa at this stage. Hindi pa ito yung tamang panahon na… Dapat itong isa-ayos nang maige, lalo na sa gitna ng putukan o hidwaan. Kailangang tantiyahan nang maige yung ating pagpakakaroon ng repatriation. But definitely, we are ready,” Cacdac said.
According to Cacdac, Filipinos in the Philippines can check on the condition of their loved ones in Israel through the DMW hotlines.
“Ang mahalaga sa ngayon ay malaman ng mga kababayan natin na meron silang madudulugan,” sabi ng kalihim.
Cacdac also said that they have set up a help desk with hotlines, which were posted online on June 14 — a day after Israel launched an attack against Iran.
“Nagpapa-alala tayo sa mga kababayan natin na yung Middle East help desk natin ay patuloy na tatanggap ng tawag…ang ating 1348 hotline ay puwedeng dulugan ng anuman tulong, yung mga kamag-anak sa Pilipinas na nais malaman ang status o katayuan ng kanilang mahal sa buhay ay puwedeng dumulog sa ating hotline,” he explained.
According to Cacdac, there are an estimated 30,000 Filipinos in Israel, while around 30 Filipinos are in Iran—most of whom are married to Iranian nationals.
Following Israel’s attack, Iran vowed to retaliate, considering the bombing an act of war.
In a report, the Philippine Embassy in Tel Aviv confirmed that four Filipinos were among those injured during Iran’s retaliatory missile strike in response to Israel’s earlier assault.