Twenty-six Filipinos have left Israel and are now on their way home to the Philippines, the Philippine Embassy in Israel announced on Sunday.
This was not just an ordinary trip. These Filipinos left through something called the Voluntary Repatriation Program. That means they chose to go home because they didn’t feel safe anymore due to the rising conflict between Israel and Iran.
✈️ Leaving a War Zone: A Careful, Guided Journey
The Embassy made sure the trip was safe and smooth for our fellow Filipinos.
They were brought to the Allenby Border Crossing — the gateway from Israel to Jordan — with Ambassador Aileen Mendiola and the DMW-OWWA team (the groups that protect Filipino workers abroad) personally guiding them.
“We made sure they crossed safely and peacefully,” the embassy said.
From Jordan, the 26 Filipinos were given:
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Travel documents
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Transit visas
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Plane tickets
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Transportation assistance
Everything was arranged so they could return to the Philippines without hassle.
🏠 Before Flying Home: Shelter, Help & Hope
Before their flight, the 26 Filipinos stayed in a special shelter run by the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW).
There, they were given:
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Relief packages (basic needs like food and hygiene kits)
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Free legal advice to help with any job or benefit issues
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Guidance about what support they will receive once back in the Philippines (called reintegration benefits) — like finding new jobs or starting small businesses.
🇵🇭 Who Were They?
According to the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), the group included:
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26 Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) — people who worked in Israel
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1 tourist — someone who was just visiting
And the second batch of Filipinos who want to come home — 33 more people — is already being processed by the embassy!
⚠️ What’s Happening in Israel and Iran?
The reason many Filipinos are leaving is because of the escalating tension between Israel and Iran.
Here’s what’s going on:
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On June 13, Israel bombed Iran, saying Iran was close to making nuclear weapons.
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In return, Iran bombed Israel with airstrikes.
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On Sunday, the U.S. bombed 3 nuclear sites in Iran, making things even more dangerous.
Iran insists it only wants nuclear energy for peaceful use, not for weapons. But Israel (which is believed to have nuclear weapons) doesn’t trust them — and that’s why there’s so much danger and fear in the region now.
📺 What’s Next?
The embassy is working hard to make sure all Filipinos who want to leave can get home safely. Many are worried that the situation could get worse, so they’re choosing to leave early before things spiral out of control.
Let’s all pray for their safety and for peace to come soon.
