PH not issuing travel ban to Israel, Iran after drone attack

A panoramic view of Jerusalem’s Old City is pictured at dawn of April 14, 2024, after Iran launched a drone and missile attack on Israel. Iran launched more than 200 drones and missiles on Israel in an unprecedented attack late April 13, 2024, the Israeli army announced, in a major escalation of the long-running covert war between the regional foes. RONALDO SCHEMIDT/AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) is not issuing a ban on Filipinos traveling to Israel and Iran, even with the recent escalation of hostilities between the two countries.

But Foreign Undersecretary Eduardo de Vega said the government was discouraging “nonessential” travels to both countries even as it was not allowing the new deployment of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) to Israel.

“We are still awaiting the recommendation of our ambassadors in those two countries, Ambassadors Jun Laylo in Tel Aviv and Roberto Manalo in Tehran. I have spoken to Ambassador Laylo, and he said there is yet no recommendation to elevate the alert level,” he said.

READ: Iran launches unprecedented strikes on Israel, risking wider conflict

Retaliation

De Vera gave the assurance after Iran launched hundreds of drones and missiles to directly target Israel on Sunday night, in supposed retaliation for an Israeli strike on the Iranian consulate in Damascus.

“Nonetheless, we advise all Filipinos that if they decide to travel, it must be super essential. If this can be avoided, we urge them not to travel in the meantime while the situation is unresolved and the violent situation remains in Palestine,” he said. According to the DFA official, the recent bombing raids did not deter many OFWs in Israel from deciding to stay.

Alert level 2

“Unless the situation becomes a full-blown war, like that in Gaza or Sudan last year, and no one gets hurt despite the recent attacks because Israel’s iron dome has been effective, Filipinos would not ask to be repatriated,” he said.

De Vega said the DFA would retain alert level 2 in Israel, which prohibited only the deployment of new OFWs there.“Those who are already there may be issued employment papers should they decide to come home to the Philippines, unless a deployment ban is in effect,” he said.

“Those who decided to come home were usually those without jobs, were overstaying, or the elderly. Those who decided to come home out of fear are rare,” he added.