THE Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) and the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) confirmed that one Filipino was injured and 5 more are missing amid the clash Israel and the Hamas Group.
Until now, the Government of the Philippines continues to communicate with Israel Authorities to verify the reported missing, abducted or dead Filipinos due to the increasing tension in the country of Israel.
Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Eduardo de Vega said, that while there are many stories circulating online regarding to current situation of Filipinos amid the war between Israel and Hamas, there are still no confirmed deaths or casualties.
“So far, no Filipinos have been confirmed as casualties or captured. There are rumors, we’ve heard that some Filipinos have been kidnapped by Hamas. We have not had any verification yet, but the Embassy is in contact regarding that,” according to Usec. Eduardo De Vega, DFA.
OWWA Administrator Arnel Ignacio, that they have received a report that a Filipino in Israel was injured amid the clashes.
Aside from this, OWWA and the DFA confirmed that there are 5 Filipinos who have been found, however, another 5 are still Missing or unaccounted Filipinos in Israel: Grace Cabrera, Shelly Morillo, Norilyn Babadilla, Gallenor Leandro Pacheco, Loreta Alacre.
Filipinos reportedly been found in Israel:
Loreta De Costa, Buena Besol, Paul Vincent Castelvi, Marilyn Magana, Joey Fasulingan- recovering after getting hit by a stray bullet.
According to OWWA and DFA, no Filipinos in Israel who have expressed interest in returning to the Philippines and if there are any, the government said it will make a way for them go back home.
“That is the [function of our] branch of the government. The Executive Branch whether DFA, OWWA or DMW. We will not object nor interfere in repatriation. There are certain situations and considerations, but the [Filipinos in Israel] refused to be repatriated,” Usec. De Vega said.
The DFA said that so far, there are 25 Filipinos in Gaza Strip have expressed their desire to be repatriated amid the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict.
There are 137 Filipinos living in Gaza Strip. De Vega assured that the Philippine Embassy is contacting the Israeli authorities to ensure the safety and security of Filipinos there.
The DFA also appealing to the public to contact the Philippine Embassy in case their relatives or loved ones currently in Israel cannot longer be contacted.
So far, the Government has yet to recommend a deployment ban on Israel.
The DFA also clarified that contingency plans are in place and that they had an emergency meeting at the embassy to ensure the safety of around 30,000 Filipinos in Israel.
