Palace assures help to Filipinos facing deportation in Israel

Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo. INQUIRER file photo

MANILA, Philippines — Malacañang assured hundreds of Filipinos in Israel facing deportation that the government would extend all the assistance they would need.

“I’m sure the Secretary of Foreign Affairs will do something about that. Hindi natin papabayaan ‘yan,” presidential spokesperson Salvador Panelo told reporters in Malacañang on Monday.

The Department of Foreign Affairs said Friday that hundreds overstaying Filipino women and their children are facing deportation.

READ: Israel to deport overstaying OFWs, children

The working permits of the Filipino mothers were not renewed when they gave birth in Israel, the DFA said, leaving them without any legal status.

In a statement, the DFA has asked the Israeli government “to treat overstaying Filipinos in a humane and sensitive manner, since children may be involved,” the DFA said in a statement.”

It also called on Filipinos in Israel “to observe the host country’s laws.”