House still verifying if PH lawmakers are stranded in Israel
Smoke billows from a fire in a building in Herzliya near Tel Aviv following a fresh barrage of Iranian rockets on June 17, 2025. Israel’s military said air raid sirens sounded in several areas of the country on June 17 after identifying missiles launched from Iran, as AFP journalists reported booms over Tel Aviv and Jerusalem. (Photo by Menahem KAHANA / AFP)
MANILA, Philippines — Although two lawmakers who requested travel authority to Israel have canceled their trips, House Secretary General Reginald Velasco said he has yet to determine whether any other legislators traveled there and are now stranded.
In a message to reporters on Tuesday, Velasco said Batangas 4th District Rep. Lianda Bolilia had withdrawn her request for travel authority to Israel, while San Jose del Monte City Rep. Florida Robes did not proceed with her application.
However, Velasco said they could not confirm at this time whether any lawmakers traveled to Israel while returning to Manila from other trips abroad.
“We are closely coordinating with the DFA (Department of Foreign Affairs),” he added.
Velasco’s clarification came after the DFA reported that among the 17 government officials stranded in Israel amid the renewed conflict in the region, two are members of the House.
Fears of a broader conflict in the Middle East were heightened after Israel launched airstrikes on several sites in Iran on June 13, prompting retaliatory attacks from Iran days later.
The exchange has been described as the “most intense fighting yet” between the two countries, which had previously engaged only through proxy wars.
READ: Israel pounds Iran, Tehran hits back with missiles
Reports indicate that 31,000 Filipinos are legally working and residing in Israel, though estimates suggest the number could reach 50,000 when including undocumented workers.
Meanwhile, in Iran, there are approximately 2,000 Filipinos, including those married to Iranian nationals.
READ: 4 Filipinos in Israel injured amid air strikes
As of now, four Filipinos in Israel were injured after the airstrikes./mcm
