STAY INDOORS, FILIPINOS IN ISRAEL TOLD AMID RISING TENSION

FILIPINOS in Israel were advised to remain indoors amid fears of a possible retaliatory attack from Iran.

The Philippine Embassy in Tel Aviv issued the advisory following Israel’s bombing of several military and nuclear sites in Iran on Thursday.

Israeli Home Front Command raised the country’s alert level and banned public gatherings from June 13 to 14.

Classes were suspended and operations were limited only to essential services.

Filipinos were also reminded to stay alert and head to bomb shelters in case of missile attacks.

Following Israel’s military actions against Iran, the Philippine Embassy in Tel Aviv led by Ambassador Aileen Mendiola  has activated its Crisis Management Team to respond to the developing situation.

She said the safety and well-being of Filipinos in Israel remain the Embassy’s top priority.

Mendiola is personally overseeing efforts to monitor the situation and ensure that timely advisories and support are extended to the Filipinos in Israel.

The Embassy urged the Filipino community to follow the IDF Home Front Command’s security guidelines and the Embassy’s safety advisories as well as to be alert and ready to act.

Mendiola said that for emergency assistance, the Embassy be may reached at: 24/7 Emergency Hotline Number: +972 54 4661188; Email Address: telaviv.pe@dfa.gov.ph.

Meanwhlle, the Philippine government, through the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) has expressed “grave concern” over the heightened tensions in the Middle East region following Israel’s airstrikes on Iran.

“With the welfare of the people of the Middle East and the Filipinos there in mind, the Philippines urges concerned countries to deescalate and follow the path of peace,”  DFA spokesperson Ma. Teresita Daza said.

She added that the Philippine Embassies in the region stand ready to assist Filipinos in their jurisdictions.

As of the moment, Daza said the DFA has not received reports of any Filipino hurt, injured or affected as a result of the operations.

Over 30,000 Filipinos currently reside in Israel, most of them working in caregiving and agriculture.