DFA ready to help repatriate Filipinos amid Israel-Iran tension

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on Tuesday said it is ready to provide assistance for the possible repatriation of Filipinos amid the ongoing tension between Israel and Iran.

DFA Undersecretary Eduardo de Vega told Unang Balita that so far no Filipinos have expressed interest in returning to the Philippines after Israel and Iran exchanged attacks recently.

“Ayon kay Ambassador Jun Laylo, ang ating sugo sa Tel Aviv, sinasabi niya wala pa namang nagsasabi na, 'Gusto ko nang umuwi dahil malapit nang magkagiyera.' Hindi po. Kasi nagtitiwala sila doon sa Israeli defense,” he said.

(According to Ambassador Jun Laylo, our ambassador in Tel Aviv, no Filipino has so far expressed intention of going home. They trust the Israeli defense.)

“Doon sa Iran naman, 2,000 ang Pilipino doon  —mga kasal sa Iranian, mga professional. At handa 'yung pamahalaan na iuuwi sila kung gusto nilang umuwi. Pero karamihan sa kanila naging Iranian citizens na,” he added.

(In Iran, there are 2,000 Filipinos there — some married to Iranians, some professionals. The government is ready to take them home if they want to go home. But most of them have become Iranian citizens already.)

The Philippines has expressed concern over the tensions between Israel and Iran and urged parties to work on resolving the conflict.

"We urge all parties to refrain from escalating the situation and to work towards a peaceful resolution of their conflict," the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said in a statement.

"The Philippines has long advocated for all states to adhere to the principles of international law and to the peaceful settlement of disputes," it added.

Iran launched attacks against Israel over the weekend using drones and missiles in retaliation for a supposed Israeli air strike on the Iranian consulate in Damascus, Syria on April 1. 

Israel's alleged attack in Damascus reportedly killed seven Iranian military advisers, including three senior commanders.

Meanwhile, the Iranian attack caused modest damage in Israel as most of the missiles and drones were shot down by Israel's Iron Dome defense system with the help of US, Britain, France, and Jordan, according to a Reuters report. —KBK, GMA Integrated News