DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — The Philippine government says it is fully ready to bring home Filipinos from Israel if the fighting between Israel and Iran gets worse—but for now, they’re waiting for the right time.
The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW), led by Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac, said that even though they are prepared for a mass evacuation, they need to be very careful about when and how they do it.
“We’re ready. But this is not yet the right time,” Cacdac explained in an interview.
“There’s still fighting going on, and we don’t want to risk anyone’s safety. We have to make sure everything is done properly.”
🔴 Why the wait?
Right now, the airspace (the sky where airplanes fly) over the conflict area isn’t safe. With missiles flying between Israel and Iran, it could be very dangerous to send planes in and out.
✈️ But if things get worse or the area becomes safe enough, the DMW said they can start bringing people home fast.
🇵🇭 Filipinos Are Not Alone—Hotlines Are Open!
On June 14, Secretary Cacdac joined Philippine Independence Day celebrations in Dubai, where about 40,000 Filipinos and their kids gathered. While there, he gave an important message to Filipinos both abroad and back home.
He said families in the Philippines who have loved ones in Israel or Iran can call the DMW to ask for help or updates.
“What’s important right now,” he said, “is that Filipinos know there’s a place they can call for help.”
☎️ The DMW Help Desk and the 1348 Hotline are ready to assist. Families can ask if their loved ones are safe, get information, or request support.
🌍 How Many Filipinos Are Affected?
📍 In Israel, there are around 30,000 Filipinos.
📍 In Iran, only about 30 Filipinos, and many of them are married to Iranians.
💣 What’s Happening With Israel and Iran?
The tension between Israel and Iran got worse after Israel launched a major attack on June 13. They targeted Iran’s nuclear and military sites with a big missile strike. Since then, both countries have been firing missiles at each other.
The situation is very dangerous, which is why the Philippine government is keeping a close eye on what’s going on.
🇵🇭 What Happens Next?
For now, Filipinos in Israel are safe, but the government says they’re ready to act fast if needed. The big question now is:
Will things get worse—or calm down?
And when is the right time to bring our fellow Filipinos home?
Stay tuned, because this is a developing story—and everyone’s watching closely.
