MANILA – The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) is still verifying the reported abduction of Filipino workers allegedly by Hamas militants who have launched a massive attack on Israel.
Foreign Affairs Spokesperson Ma. Teresita Daza said the Philippine Embassy in Tel Aviv received “unconfirmed reports” that some Filipinos working near the Israeli border were captured on Saturday morning.
“The Philippine Embassy in Tel Aviv has received these unconfirmed reports. We are still verifying them,” she said.
Daza, meanwhile, assured that all Filipino agrostudies students in Israel are “accounted for,” based on the latest update.
“We are, however, continuing to monitor the situation. We have asked the authorities to secure them,” she said.
Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Eduardo Jose de Vega said contingency plans are in place and that an emergency meeting at the embassy was already convened to ensure the safety of the estimated 30,000 Filipinos in Israel.
No Filipino was reported hurt as well, he reported.
“There are evacuation plans in place in case, but right now, according to our ambassador, there are no Filipino casualties and they're checking with the Filipino community how they are,” he said in an ANC interview on Saturday.
The Department of Migrant Workers has set up a 24/7 Task Force Israel Desk for Filipinos in Israel, which may be reached at +63 2 1348 or via WhatsApp and Viber +63 9083268344, +63 9271478186, or +63 9205171059.
Meanwhile, the Philippine Embassy in Jordan advised the 137 Filipinos in the Gaza Strip “to stay vigilant and cautious at all times.”
The Embassy said they must remain in their residences as much as possible, avoid public areas and continue to monitor the security situation through official communication channels.
“The safety and security of every Filipino overseas remain the priority of the Philippine government. The Philippine Embassy is continuously monitoring the situation,” the Embassy said in a statement on Sunday.
Ambassador Wilfredo Santos, together with Third Secretaries and Vice Consuls Angeli Payumo and Sheila Marie Andales, have conducted an emergency meeting with the Filipino community in Gaza to assess the situation.
There is no report of Filipinos involved in the conflict.
The Embassy may be reached at hotlines +962-7-7907-7775 and 7-7909-7778. (PNA)
