Senate, House tell agencies: Monitor, help Filipinos caught in war

MANILA, Philippines — Leaders of both the House of Representatives and the Senate have called on the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) and the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) to monitor Filipinos affected by the new wave of conflict in the Middle East, and prepare for possible repatriation.

In separate statements on Monday, House of Representatives Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez and Senate President Francis Escudero said both DFA and DMW should locate Filipinos who may be affected by the Israel-Iran conflict and set up measures for repatriation.

Fears of a wider conflict over the Middle East were stoked after Israel attacked Iran last June 13 with airstrikes over several sites, leading to Iran retaliating a few days after.

READ: 4 Filipinos in Israel hurt after Iran’s airstrikes, says DFA

“We are watching these developments with grave concern. Under President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., our foremost priority is the protection of our overseas Filipino workers who may be caught in the crossfire of this dangerous standoff,” Romualdez said.  “We expect our frontline agencies to remain vigilant and proactive in ensuring the safety and security of our kababayans, including possible repatriation plans should the situation worsen,” Speaker Romualdez said.

“The DFA and DMW should go the extra mile in locating and reaching out to Filipinos in Israel and Iran to determine who wants to get out of the two countries now,” Escudero also said.

Report show that 31,000 Filipinos are legally working and living in Israel, but there are estimates that the number of Filipinos there could reach 50,000 if undocumented workers are included.

Meanwhile, in Iran, there are around 2,000 Filipinos, including those married to Iranians.  As of now, four Filipinos in Israel were injured after the airstrikes.

Return home

But according to Escudero, it should no longer matter if Filipinos are staying legally or are undocumented, as they should be assisted by the government especially if they want to return home.

“It doesn’t matter if they are legally staying or undocumented. What is important is that Filipinos who fear for their safety and want to go home are assisted without delay,” he added, citing contingency plans of government agencies that have been in place to deal with incidents such as natural disasters or armed conflicts in areas where a significant number of Filipinos are present,” he said.

“The government has a long experience regarding these situations.  We have funds to ensure the safe return of our people every time there is a conflict abroad.  The important thing is to identify where Filipinos are located and offer them a return trip if their lives are in danger,” he added.

Senator Robinhood Padilla meanwhile wrote a letter to different cabinet officials — Foreign Affairs Secretary Maria Theresa Lazaro, Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac, Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr., and Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. — to ask what are their agencies’ plans to assist Filipinos abroad.

“Reports indicate 30,000 Filipinos in Israel and 1,000 Filipinos in Iran may be affected by the conflict. There are reports of Filipinos injured because of the attacks.  I wish to ask for a report on the actions by our government. Are we ready for mass repatriation?  How can we ensure the safe return of our Filipinos affected by the conflict?” he said in his letter to Lazaro.

“Do we have concrete plans to bring home our overseas Filipino workers asking for help?” he asked Cacdac.

Earlier, it was reported that Israel unleashed a new wave of attacks against Iran on Monday, targeting missile sites after Tehran carried out deadly overnight strikes and both sides threatened more devastation.

‘Intense fighting’

The attacks were described as the “most intense fighting yet” between the two countries, as previously, Israel and Iran only figured in proxy wars.

READ: Israel pounds Iran, Tehran hits back with missiles

Romualdez said the House urges parties concerned to “take a step back and allow diplomacy” to reign instead of resorting to attacks.

“We call on all parties involved to take a step back and allow diplomacy to do its work.  This is a time for dialogue, not destruction. Any further escalation will only deepen human suffering and destabilize an already fragile region,” he said.  “No Filipino should be left behind in a time of crisis. The House stands in full solidarity with our OFWs (overseas Filipino workers) and will work closely with our executive agencies to ensure their welfare.

“This conflict is unfolding in a region that has known too much war and too little peace. The world must not allow another full-blown crisis to erupt,” he added.  “The best way to face uncertainty is through unity and vigilance. We will not waver in our commitment to every Filipino’s safety, wherever they may be in the world.”

Meanwhile, Escudero said that OFWs who would want to return to the Philippines should be given guidance on how they can have a sustainable livelihood.

“It is imperative that repatriated Filipinos who wish to remain in the country are provided with the opportunities and the tools needed to start fresh,” Escudero said.

/mr

(2025/06/16-19:07)