PH embassy advises Filipinos to stay at home amid Israel vs. Iran tension

The Philippine Embassy in Israel advised Filipinos to keep themselves safe at home as Israel was placed under Essential Activity status starting Friday, June 13 following tensions with Iran.

The Embassy reminded overseas Filipinos of the advisory issued by the IDF Home Front Command stating that the country is under such status from 3 a.m. of June 13 until 8 p.m. of June 14.

Under Essential Activity status, classes are suspended throughout Israel, any forms of gatherings are prohibited, and work is also suspended except for those providing essential services.

“Mariing ipinapayo ng Embahada sa lahat ng Pilipino sa Israel na manatili sa loob ng kanilang mga tahanan at dapat maging handang pumasok sa shelter, safe room, o mamad sakaling magkaroon ng missile alert,” the embassy said.

(The Embassy strongly advises all Filipinos in Israel to remain inside their homes and should be prepared to enter a shelter, safe room, or mamad in the event of a missile alert.)

“Sundan ang mga IDF security guidelines, safety advisories ng Embahada, at balita mula sa mga mapagkakatiwalaang news outlets.” 

(Follow IDF security guidelines, Embassy safety advisories, and news from trusted news outlets.)

The embassy also advised Filipinos in Israel to contact its emergency hotline: +972 54-4661188 for urgent concerns.

The deployment of new OFWs to Israel remains suspended as Alert Level 2 is still in effect.

“When you're in Israel, you know what you have to do to keep safe. I myself was posted there,” said Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Undersecretary Eduardo de Vega in JP Soriano’s report in “24 Oras'' on Friday. 

The DFA and the Department of Migrant Workers are also monitoring Filipinos based in Iran. 

According to a Reuters report, Israel struck Iran and it was declaring a state of emergency in anticipation of retaliation by Tehran.

The report also said that Israel has long discussed striking Iran in a bid to prevent Tehran from developing a nuclear weapon. — BAP/VBL, GMA Integrated News