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MANILA, Philippines — Six overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) have been injured in Iran’s missile attacks on Israel, including a Filipina caregiver who is in critical condition after she sustained severe injuries to her heart and lungs, the Philippine embassy in Tel Aviv said yesterday.
An embassy team visited the Filipina at the Intensive Care Unit of Shamir Medical Center.
Philippine Ambassador to Israel Aileen Mendiola Rau said there were actually eight medical cases involving Filipinos, but two of them were maternity cases.
She said in a radio interview that aside from the injured caregiver whose condition is “very critical,” another Filipino is in “moderately critical” condition while the rest have been discharged from hospital.
The missile attack struck mostly residential complexes.
“We are doing everything within our means to reach and assist our nationals affected by this crisis,” Rau said.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with them and their families, especially our kababayan who is now fighting for her life. We ask the Filipino community to join us in praying for her survival and healing,” she added.
Three Filipino nationals also sustained moderate to critical injuries after a missile struck their residence in the early hours of June 15.
Two of the victims – a 43-year-old woman who underwent emergency surgery and a 44-year-old man with injuries to his arm and leg – are currently receiving treatment at Kaplan Medical Center in Rehovot.
According to the embassy, there are more than 30,000 Filipinos in Israel.
The embassy is coordinating with hospital social workers and the Rehovot local government to ensure that, upon discharge, the victims would be transferred to appropriate shelters, granted their due compensation and benefits and properly assisted in their recovery.
Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) Secretary Hans Cacdac said his department is extending help to 14 other OFWs whose houses were destroyed during the missile attacks.
He said financial and other basic assistance were provided to the 14 OFWs, eight of whom are currently staying in temporary accommodations provided to them by the Philippine government.
The Philippine government is also assisting two other OFWs staying at the outskirts of Tel Aviv, according to Cacdac
Immediate assistance
President Marcos has ordered the DMW, Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) and Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) to ensure the safety and well-being of Filipinos affected by the raging hostilities between Israel and Iran.
“The President’s directive to the DFA, DMW and OWWA is to provide immediate assistance to our countrymen. No one is left behind,” Presidential Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro told reporters yesterday.
“The DMW and OWWA must ensure the safety and well-being of the OFWS affected by the tensions in the Middle East,” she said.
Castro said Filipinos needing assistance may call the DMW-OWWA helpdesk at 1348 and those abroad may contact their hotline +6321348.
Asked whether the President is considering forced repatriation of Filipinos, Castro said: “It hasn’t reached that point yet, but our agencies are ready if repatriation is needed.”
Castro said the DFA has a contingency plan should there be a need to repatriate Filipinos in Iran.
The government has already deployed a team in Israel to assist in the repatriation of Filipinos, she added.
“We are praying for their swift recovery,” the Palace official said of the four Filipinos hurt in Iran’s attacks.
At a briefing, Cacdac said the Philippine government is preparing the repatriation of over 100 OFWs who have expressed their desire to return home from Israel.
He also announced the arrival yesterday at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) of 18 Filipinos from Dubai.
He said the 18 OFWs were bound for Tel Aviv and Amman, Jordan, but were stranded in Dubai due to the temporary shutdown of major airports in the region.
“Let’s wait for the proper time we can evacuate them. The airport in Tel Aviv is closed, that’s why we have to wait for the right time to get them out,” he said at a briefing.
Since the start of Iran’s missile attack last Friday, Cacdac said 25 have so far expressed their intention to return home.
Cacdac said the Philippine government has identified an alternative route for those seeking repatriation, but declined to disclose details for security reasons.
He advised Filipino workers against traveling to Israel and Jordan. Those already in the two countries are advised to stay indoors.
“We stand continually ready to assist and support our OFWs who wish to go home for safety and security,” Cacdac said.
He said the National Reintegration Center for OFWs will assist the OFWs for their upskilling needs and sustainable reintegration.
A 24/7 Middle East Help Desk for affected OFWs and their families is now operational. – Helen Flores, Neil Jayson Servallos, Rudy Santos
