INCOMING Sen. Panfilo Lacson yesterday expressed concern that the United States’ airstrikes during the weekend on Iran’s three nuclear facilities may trigger a world war.
“US President (Donald) Trump’s unprecedentedly dangerous move to ‘obliterate’ Iran’s highly-fortified nuclear facilities, if not as factual as he described it, could trigger a world war on a scale nobody has ever witnessed or read about,” Lacson said on X (formerly Twitter).
“Ancient history taught us about Persia’s ability to recover with deadly vengeance,” he added.
Following the escalating tension between Iran and Israel, the Philippine Embassy in Tel Aviv said the number of Filipinos in Israel seeking repatriation to Manila has increased to 253, from 223 during the weekend.
There are more than 30,000 Filipinos in Israel and 1,180 in Iran.
In an update late Sunday night, the embassy said 50 have confirmed their intent to return to the Philippines.
Excluded from the 253 are the 26 Filipinos who are among the 30 overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) set to return home today.
The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) has raised Alert Level 3 in Israel and Iran, which calls for the voluntary repatriation of Filipinos in conflict zones.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and the DFA have earlier said there is no reason yet to raise Alert Level 4 in the two countries, which calls for mandatory evacuation.
The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) said the 30 OFWs arriving today availed of the government’s voluntary repatriation program.
DMW Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac said 26 of the 30 returning OFWs comprise the first wave of those who crossed over from Israel through the King Hussein Bridge towards Jordan.
“The group was the first wave of OFWs to arrive at the Jordanian border, and all of them were provided immediate financial assistance and other necessary support from the government,” said Cacdac.
Aside from the 26 OFWs from Israel, three other OFWs from Jordan and one OFW from the West Bank are also slated to arrive this morning.
The Philippine Embassy in Tel Aviv said 127 Filipinos have lost their homes due to Iranian missile attacks. It said 118 of them have been resettled, while the rest are being readied for resettlement.
It also reported that it has provided financial assistance and basic items, including food, to 375 Filipinos affected by the hostilities.
In the United States, Philippine Ambassador Jose Manuel Romualdez urged Filipinos to be on alert following the US’s air and missile strikes on Iran.
“As always, we tell our kababayans to be on alert. We ask them to follow whatever the local officials whatever alert, notice that they give out to their communities, to be on the lookout, just in case there’s any situation that may arise out of this situation in the Middle East right now,” Romualdez told radio DZBB in an interview on Monday.
He also advised Filipinos to avoid crowded areas.
There are over 4.6 million Filipinos and Filipino-Americans in the United States.
Romualdez’s appeal came after US authorities warned its citizens to be on alert for possible Iranian retaliatory actions after Trump announced America’s airstrikes on Iran.
Lacson said he is confident that Philippine authorities have in place evacuation and contingency plans for the more than 2 million Filipinos in the Middle East who may be affected by the Israel-Iran war.
DIPLOMACY
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. joined world leaders in calling for a diplomatic and peaceful resolution of the conflict in the Middle East, particularly between Iran and Israel.
Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said the President feels and shares the concerns of different world leaders over the growing tension in the Middle East.
“Ang panawagan din po ng Pangulo ay magkaroon po nang mapayapang pag-uusap at diplomasya para po maibsan ang lumalalang hindi pagkakasundo (The President is calling for peaceful dialogue and diplomacy to ease the growing disagreements),” Castro said.
“Kailangan din pong manindigan para sa pandaigdigang kapayapaan para maging matatag po ang global community o pandaigdigang komunidad. Iyan po ang mensahe ng Pangulo (We also need to stand up for world peace so that the global community can be strong. That is the President’s message),” she added.
In a statement issued late Sunday night, the DFA also expressed concern over the recent developments in the Middle East.
“We strongly urge concerned parties to take the path of diplomacy and avoid further escalation of this conflict that could threaten regional and international peace and security,” the DFA said.
“The Philippines continues to reiterate the need for a peaceful and diplomatic solution to this crisis,” it added.
Senate president pro tempore Jinggoy Estrada also called on world leaders to advocate peace amid the war between Israel and Iran.
“Diplomacy should always prioritize tact over aggression, and dialogue must take precedence over hostility. I stand with those who strongly advocate for restraint, open communication, and de-escalation of the armed conflict between Israel and Iran,” Estrada said in a statement.
While the conflict is far from the country, Estrada said one cannot help but worry for the well-being of Filipinos in the Middle East.
“While our government, through the Department of Foreign Affairs and other relevant agencies, is closely monitoring the situation, I urge them to continually reassure our fellow citizens that we are prepared to provide all necessary assistance and protection,” he said.
“My thoughts and prayers are with all civilians, especially our kababayans (countrymen) in Israel and Iran who are in the crossfire,” he added.
Sen. Grace Poe said that aside from the public transport sector, the government should also provide fuel subsidies to farmers and fisherfolks who are adversely affected by the higher fuel costs through the P585 million allocation to the Department of Agriculture.
“We trust that the amount to be released per beneficiary will be reasonable to help cushion the impact of oil prices. We also expect the concerned agencies to speed up the paper works to avert delays in distribution,” she said.
REPATRIATION
Marcos yesterday ordered all concerned government agencies to ensure the safe, timely and orderly return of Filipinos in Iran and Israel.
The President, in a video message, also urged Filipinos in the two countries to get in touch with officials of the Philippine Embassy and consulate offices and avail of the government’s voluntary repatriation program.
“We have raised alert level 3 in Iran and Israel. I have directed all concerned government agencies to take the necessary steps to ensure the safe, timely and orderly return of our Filipino workers who wish to avail of the voluntary repatriation program,” Marcos said.
“I urge our fellow Filipinos to coordinate with our embassies in Tel Aviv and in Tehran. Please follow their guidance, inform them of your situation and do not hesitate to ask for assistance. Your government continues to act and is ready to serve to protect your safety and well-being. Nothing is more important than the safety of every Filipino,” he also said.
Marcos said the government is moving as quickly as it can to bring back the Filipinos who wish to return to the Philippines.
“In Israel, we have already provided food packs and financial help to our compatriots. Many are staying in our migrant workers office hostel with more space ready should it be needed. In Iran, our embassy is preparing for the repatriation of an initial batch of eight Filipinos in the coming days,” he said.
He said Filipinos who are repatriated back to the Philippines will receive support from the government, including P150,000 in immediate assistance, accommodation, transport and livelihood support with training vouchers to help them recover and to start again.
He said that those who would choose to stay for good in the Philippines will be provided help with skills training, job matching, startup capital and support to begin a small business or find new opportunities.
Cacdac said that with more OFWs expected to seek repatriation due to the conflict, the DMW Department shall remain available on site to aid them.
“We shall continue to liaise with both Jordanian and Israeli authorities to facilitate the ongoing transit and repatriation efforts for affected Filipinos,” he said.
The DFA said “the Philippine government will relentlessly continue to advance and prioritize their protection. The Philippine embassies in the region stand ready to provide the necessary assistance to Filipinos in their jurisdiction.”
Marcos said the government is also continuously monitoring the status of the Filipino caregiver who was injured and remains in the hospital.
He said the Filipino worker is in stable condition but “still on oxygen support and a ventilator,” adding that the government is already in touch with her family and is making sure that she gets the care that she needs.
DEPLOYMENT BAN
On the heels of the raising of Alert Level 3 in Israel and Iran due to the increasing hostilities between the two countries, Cacdac announced that the total deployment ban is now in effect in the two nations.
In an online media briefing on late Sunday night, Cacdac said new and returning OFWs will not be allowed to be deployed to Iran and Israel.
“With the alert levels, we will now issue the corresponding notice of a total deployment ban for Israel and Iran,” said Cacdac, who is in Amman, Jordan.
The DMW chief said the deployment ban will be easier to implement since they have already appealed to recruitment agencies to delay deployment to both Iran and Israel, even without a deployment ban imposed.
“We had already advised them days before that with the closure of airspace, we advised our OFWs not to proceed at this time,” Cacdac said. – With Jocelyn Reyes and Gerard Naval
