MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) on Thursday said 22 overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in Israel have so far requested repatriation amid the nation’s conflict with the Palestinian militant group Hamas.
According to DMW officer-in-charge Hans Cacdac, all 22 OFWs are located in conflict-stricken areas, 19 of whom are caregivers, while the other three are hotel workers.
“We’re looking into the repatriation of OFWs who had requested repatriation already, and we’re bracing for repatriation, so abangan na lang ang karampatang anunsyo dito (so let us wait for the announcement) because obviously, we’re preparing the flights, but soon there will be the repatriation of OFWs,” said Cacdac in a press conference.
But Cacdac noted that Israel is not yet under any alert level; meaning, no mandatory repatriation for OFWs has been imposed by the Philippine government in Israel. This means repatriation of OFWs in Israel remains voluntary.
“For the most part, ‘yung mare-repatriate (those who will be repatriated) shall have already finished or accomplished their contract, or at least had a good understanding and agreement with their employers. Para hindi adverse ang exit (So that their exit will not be adverse),” said Cacdac.
To recall, the Department of Foreign Affairs also recorded 70 Filipinos who have requested repatriation in the Palestinian city of Gaza.
RELATED STORIES
2 Filipinos confirmed dead in Israel-Gaza war
Marcos mourns death of 2 Filipinos in Israel
DFA: Alert level 3 raised in Gaza; repatriation for Filipinos now voluntary