DMW: 2 more batches of OFWs from Israel to return to PH

Two more batches of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) from Israel are expected to arrive in the Philippines this week, according to the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) on Monday.

In a statement, DMW officer-in-charge Hans Leo Cacdac said the fifth batch will arrive this Monday afternoon at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 3 at 3:15 p.m.

The batch is composed of 22 OFWs and one infant.

Of the OFWs, 19 are caregivers while 3 are hotel workers.

Meanwhile, the DMW said the remains of Mary Grace Prodigo-Cabrera, the fourth Filipino casualty in the war between Israel and Hamas, will also be brought back with the group.

According to the DWM, the sixth batch of 42 OFWs is expected to arrive on Tuesday afternoon.

After the arrival of the two batches, the DMW said 184 OFWs would have returned to the Philippines from Israel.

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) earlier placed Israel under Alert Level 2 following the attack of the militant group Hamas on October 7.

The DFA said that Alert Level 2 entails restriction of non-essential movements, avoiding places of protest, and preparation for possible evacuation.

Alert Level 3 means voluntary repatriation phase while Alert Level 4 calls for mandatory evacuation or repatriation.

Israel has since been launching a continuous offensive on the Gaza Strip. — Joahna Lei Casilao/RSJ, GMA Integrated News