31 OFWs From Middle East Arrive In Philippines

The first batch of 31 Filipino workers who opted to return to the country after the outbreak of hostilities between Israel and Iran arrived in Manila on Tuesday night, June 24.

The 31 overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) – 26 from Israel, three from Jordan, one each from Palestine and Qatar – arrived at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 3 on a Qatar Airways flight.

Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac said the repatriation was done in coordination with the Department of Foreign Affairs.

In a statement, the DFA said it welcomes the US announcement of the ceasefire agreement between Israel and Iran.

“We urge all parties concerned to continue engaging in dialogue and negotiations toward a permanent solution to this issue,” the DFA said, hopeful “that it will be a crucial step towards achieving lasting peace in the region.”

Overseas Workers Welfare Administration chief Patricia Caunan said the number of OFWs requesting repatriation from Israel has jumped to 340. She said there are about 30,000 OFWs in Israel.

The repatriates who arrived Tuesday night were each provided with P150,000 financial support from the Department of Migrant Workers and OWWA.

They were also provided with temporary shelter as well as transportation to their respective destinations.

Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa, Department of Social Welfare and Development Undersecretary Monina Josefina Romualdez, Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) deputy director general Felizardo Colambo and DFA Assistant Secretary Robert Ferrer welcomed the repatriates and gave them psychosocial counseling and medical assistance.

“We are encouraging OFWs to avail of the voluntary repatriation program. And once they are home, a whole-of-government approach is ready for them, with President Marcos Jr.,” Cacdac stated.

Labor Secretary Bienvenido Laguesma said the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) has joined forces with TESDA in providing employment assistance to the displaced OFWs.

Vigilance

The Philippine embassy in Tel Aviv said Filipinos should remain vigilant and alert as a fragile ceasefire between Iran and Israel appeared to be holding. The embassy will reopen and resume consular services on June 30.

“The embassy still advises all Filipinos in Israel to continue to be vigilant, alert and always monitor the IDF (Israel Defense Force) safety guidelines and embassy safety advisories,” it said.

The latest displaced Filipino is a caregiver whose Be’er Sheva flat was directly hit by an Iranian missile.

“She is unharmed as she entered a bomb shelter on time,” the embassy said.

Meanwhile, Manila Archbishop Jose Cardinal Advincula in a circular issued on June 24, has asked his clergy to include world peace, particularly in the Middle East and Ukraine, in their prayer intention.

“We earnestly pray to God the Father almighty for peace in the Middle East, Ukraine and the world. May God cleanse the world of all violence, greed and misuse of power that bring suffering and death to many. Let us pray to the Lord,” he said.

The archbishop issued the circular after Pope Leo XIV concluded his Angelus message last Sunday with the appeal for peace. – With Pia Lee-Brago, Jose Rodel Clapano, Evelyn Macairan