PH raises alert level 3 in Israel and Iran, urges voluntary repatriation

The Philippine government on Friday raised crisis alert level 3 in Israel and Iran, urging Filipinos in the area to avail of voluntary repatriation amid ongoing armed hostilities between the two Middle Eastern countries.

Filipinos there should consider getting themselves and their dependents repatriated to avoid getting caught in the middle of ongoing clashes, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said in a statement.

Crisis level 3 or voluntary repatriation phase is imposed by the Philippine government on countries with deteriorating security conditions.

At least 30,000 workers, mostly caregivers, are in Israel, and more than 1,000 are in Iran.

"All overseas Filipinos in Israel and Iran are enjoined to return to the Philippines," the DFA said. "Travel by Filipinos to both these countries is highly discouraged due to the ongoing crisis and the actual closure of their airspace and seaports."

Those who wish to leave were advised by the DFA to contact the embassy to coordinate their repatriation.

Security alert advisories, the DFA said, "will be subject to periodic review, taking into consideration the situation on the ground."

Israel and Iran have traded missile strikes for a week, trapping civilians and foreign nationals on both sides of the conflict, triggering international alarm.

''The Department hopes that parties will cease hostilities soon," the DFA said. — VBL, GMA Integrated News