Filipinos in Israel to be repatriated at the right time, says DMW

The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) said Tuesday that at the proper time, authorities will repatriate Filipinos in Israel who wish to go back to the Philippines amid the clash between Palestinian militant group Hamas and Israeli security forces.

DMW officer-in-charge Hans Cacdac explained that there would be safety and security concerns if they mass evacuate the affected Filipinos in Israel now.

“Sa tamang oras, sa tamang panahon, in coordination with the Israeli authorities, ay tayo ay magsasagawa evacuation-repatriation doon sa mga nagnanais umuwi. Kapag dumating sa punto ng mandatory repatriation, ay isasagawa rin natin ito,” Cacdac said in a Super Radyo dzBB interview.

(We will conduct evacuation-repatriation for those who wish to return home at the right time, in coordination with the Israeli authorities. When it comes to the point of mandatory repatriation, we will also carry that out.)

Pending this, Cacdac said that authorities would continuously advise affected Filipinos to remain indoors or inside their bomb shelters to keep themselves safe.

“There’s no question—itong kasalukuyang sigalot ay hindi kahalintulad ng iba. Ibang klase talaga itong gravity ng sitwasyon ngayon. ‘Yung evacuation-repatriation is always there, ‘yung option na ‘yun,” he said.

(There's no question—this current conflict is unlike any other. The gravity of the situation now is really different. The option of evacuation-repatriation is always there.)

“Ibabalanse natin ito sa sitwasyon. Kasi ngayon, nag-o-operate ang Israeli defense forces on the ground. Hindi natin alam ang extent ng operations, ‘yung hidwaan doon sa southern part,” he added.

(We will balance it with the situation. Right now, the Israeli defense forces are operating on the ground. We don't know the extent of the operations regarding the conflict in the southern part.)

Cacdac said seven Filipinos remain unaccounted amid the armed conflict between Hamas and Israel.

The Department of Foreign Affairs earlier said a Filipino was reportedly abducted and six others were reported missing in the ongoing armed conflict. 

At least 1,100 people were reported killed and thousands were wounded in both Israel and Gaza following Saturday's surprise attack by Hamas and Israel's retaliatory strikes.

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) earlier said that Filipinos living in Israel were not requesting immediate repatriation. However, authorities said a repatriation plan is in place and is ready to be implemented if needed.

The Philippine Embassy in Israel said Monday that rescued Filipinos are staying in hotels arranged by the kibbutz.

DMW Labor Attaché Rodolfo Gabasan and personnel from the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) had also visited some of the Filipinos rescued from Kibbutz Beeri to offer assistance and essential supplies. — RSJ, GMA Integrated News