Departure of workers for Israel postponed

MANILA, Philippines — Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III has stopped the scheduled deployment of 400 caregivers to Israel next week because of the ongoing hostilities between Israel and Palestine.

The Department of Foreign Affairs said no Filipino casualty had been reported since the start of clashes but it remained prepared to evacuate the 29,473 Filipinos in Israel and 91 in Gaza if they desire to return to the Philippines.

Bello said the government had not banned the deployment of workers to Israel, but their departures would have to be postponed until the hostilities ease.

At that time, Philippine Overseas Employment Administration administrator Bernard Olalia said the 400 would be allowed to leave, adding that his agency was processing the papers of another batch of 500 to 600 caregivers who could be deployed after two months.

—DONA Z. PAZZIBUGAN