Right now, the world is watching closely as the conflict between Iran and Israel continues. It’s a scary situation — missiles, bombings, and threats are affecting countries nearby. But some Filipinos living abroad are still unsure whether to go home or stay. So, what should they do?
📢 “Don’t Wait for a Ceasefire,” Says Filipino Ambassador
Wilfredo Santos, the Philippine Ambassador to Jordan, has a very clear message for our fellow Filipinos:
“Don’t wait for a ceasefire before deciding to go home.”
He said this after hearing a Filipino in Jordan say he was hoping for peace talks (a truce) before returning to the Philippines.
But according to the ambassador, no one is stopping Filipinos from leaving. Airports in Jordan are open, and while flights are limited, they are available.
What’s Happening in Jordan?
There are about 42,000 Filipinos living and working in Jordan — most of them work in homes, as household helpers.
Ambassador Santos advised that any Filipino who wants to go home should contact the Migrant Workers Office. He added that:
-
If your papers are legal, you can be repatriated (sent home) right away.
-
If you’re overstaying, you’ll have to pay some penalty fees, but don’t worry — the embassy and migrant office can help with that too.
-
The government is ready to help all affected Filipinos because of the Iran-Israel conflict.
In Israel: Many Filipinos Are Already Coming Home
Meanwhile, in Israel, Ambassador Aileen Mendiola-Rau said:
-
26 Filipinos have already been flown back to the Philippines.
-
50 more are getting ready to return in the next batch.
-
Sadly, 34 Filipinos lost their homes because of missile attacks.
-
Around 125 others were moved to temporary shelters for safety.
In Qatar: Stay Where You Are (For Now)
Things also got tense in Qatar when Iran bombed a US base there. The good news? No one got hurt, according to Qatari authorities.
But the Philippine Embassy in Doha gave an important safety instruction:
“All Filipinos should shelter in place until we say it’s safe to go out.”
They reminded everyone to:
-
Stay updated with news and official advisories
-
Don’t share fake news — always check if it’s true before posting
-
Stay calm, alert, and ready
In the U.S.: Beware of Cyber Attacks!
Even in the United States, the effects of the Iran conflict are being felt — but in a different way.
After the US bombed some Iranian nuclear facilities, the Philippine Embassy in Washington warned Filipinos to be careful of cyberattacks from pro-Iran hackers.
The US Department of Homeland Security said there’s now a higher threat level, meaning people should be careful, especially online.
📌 The Bottom Line?
✅ If you’re abroad and feel unsafe, don’t wait for peace talks — get help and go home if you can.
✅ The Philippine government is ready to help, especially if you follow the proper steps.
✅ Wherever you are — Jordan, Israel, Qatar, or even the U.S. — stay informed, calm, and safe.
