Raffy Tulfo encourages Filipinos in Israel, Iran to evacuate
Smoke rises from a building of the Soroka hospital complex after it was hit by a missile fired from Iran in Beersheba, Israel, Thursday, June 19, 2025. (AP Photo/Leo Correa)
MANILA, Philippines — Senator Raffy Tulfo has encouraged Filipinos in Israel and Iran to evacuate amid the escalating conflict between the two countries.
Tulfo’s statement came after the Philippine government raised on Friday the alert levels in both Israel and Iran to Alert Level 3 (voluntary repatriation), effective immediately.
“We are earnestly encouraging more of our countrymen in both countries to evacuate and leave crucial areas to ensure their safety,” Tulfo said on Saturday.
READ: DFA tells Filipinos in Israel, Iran to voluntarily repatriate
Tulfo, chairperson of the Senate Committee on Migrant Workers, mentioned the update given to him by Department of Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Cacdac, where 191 overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) have already requested to be repatriated out of the 30,742 Filipinos in Israel.
“The first batch of 26 people will fly back to the Philippines this coming Monday,” the senator added.
Meanwhile, Tulfo mentioned the details from Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Undersecretary for Migration Affairs Eduardo De Vega, where no more than 30 out of 1,180 Filipinos in Iran have requested to return to the Philippines. He added that the DFA is processing their return to the country.
According to Tulfo, even though Alert Level 3 means “voluntary repatriation,” it would be better for Filipinos to evacuate to a safer place to ensure their security.
“The entire force of our government is ready to help you return to the country and start over, so I encourage you to contact our officials and agencies,” Speaking in Filipino, Tulfo told Filipinos in Israel and Iran.
“I also pray for the safety of all of you, even the officials who are helping our OFWs,” he added.
The DFA recently advised Filipinos in Israel and Iran to coordinate with their respective Philippine embassies should they wish to be voluntarily repatriated through the aid of the Philippine government.
The Philippine Embassy in Tel Aviv, Israel:
- 24/7 Hotline Emergency Number – +972 54 466 1188
- Email address: [email protected]
The Philippine Embassy in Tehran, Iran:
- 24/7 Hotline Emergency Number – +989 12 213 6801
- Email address – [email protected] /mr
