Israeli gov’t pledges safe return of 3 PH mayors
Luggage of evacuees from Israel are seen outside of a Jews community center, after their arrival from Israel to the port of Larnaca, Cyprus, Wednesday, June 18, 2025. (AP Photo/Petros Karadjias)
TACLOBAN CITY – The Israeli government has assured the safe return of the three mayors from Eastern Visayas who remain in Israel amid rising tensions with Iran.
Department of the Interior and Local Government-Eastern Visayas (DILG-8) director Arnel Agabe said that the Israeli government is extending full assistance to the stranded local chief executives and has been working on arrangements to bring them home through Jordan.
READ: 21 PH officials stuck in Israel to return to PH by weekend — DFA
“There is assurance from the Israeli government that they are taking care of our mayors and other Filipino officials currently in Israel. We’re hopeful they can return within the week,” Agabe said in an interview with local reporters on June 18.
The town mayors—Betty Cabal of Hindang, Leyte; Aron Balais of Barugo, Leyte; and Athene Mendros of Lawaan, Eastern Samar were in Shfayim, a coastal Israeli town known for its agricultural programs, when the conflict between Israel and Iran began.
They were part of a Philippine delegation composed of mayors and DILG officials from various regions who arrived in Israel on June 8 for a study tour focused on urban agriculture and food security.
Their return was originally scheduled on June 20.
Agabe clarified that the study visit was fully sponsored by the Israeli government at no cost shouldered by the local governments.
“They were invited by the Israeli government, and no public funds were spent for this travel,” Agabe said.
“This was not a junket. It was a well-intentioned tour. It just happened that they were there when the conflict erupted,” he added.
Earlier, Mayor Balais, in an online interview with the Inquirer, asked for prayers for their safety and eventual return.
In the event that the three mayors would be unable to return to the Philippines before June 30, Agabe said they may have to take their oaths of office in Israel.
“Our ambassador and other Philippine officials in Israel can administer their oath of office, if necessary,” he said.
Balais and Mendros were re-elected as mayors, while Cabal, serving on her third term, was elected as a municipal councilor in the last May 12 midterm elections.
Meanwhile, the Negros Occidental provincial government has created a help desk and will provide assistance to Negrense overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) who may be distressed and displaced by the escalating tensions in the Middle East.
Karen Dinsay, Negros Occidental Public Employment Service Office head, said the provincial government’s help desk is ready to assist Negrense OFWs from Iran, Israel and Jordan.
But so far, they have not yet received any word from the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) of Negrenses wanting to be voluntarily repatriated.
Dinsay said the provincial government will provide distressed and displaced OFWs who return to Negros with financial assistance of P5,000 and food assistance.
Concerned relatives, she said, may visit the help desk at the provincial capitol in Bacolod City or call 034-4767230 or 09989569037.
The conflict between Israel and Iran escalated in recent weeks following a series of retaliatory strikes and heightened regional tensions, prompting international concern and temporary closures of airports and heightened security across Israel. /jpv
