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Filipinos hurt amid Israel-Iran conflict now 8; 7 already discharged — embassy
The number of Filipinos injured amid the ongoing tensions between Israel and Iran is currently eight, seven of whom were already discharged from the hospital, the Philippine Embassy in Tel Aviv said.
As of 11 p.m. on June 20, seven Filipinos were discharged after receiving treatment for injuries, the embassy said, while one person underwent a ''major pulmonary surgery'' due to ''severe and life-threatening injuries.''
''She is still in the ICU and will need to undergo another surgery once stable,'' the embassy said.
At least 88 Filipinos have lost their homes due to missile impact.
''They are currently being housed in temporary accommodations. This number includes an infant who was just born on June 10,'' the embassy said.
Repatriation
A total of 191 Filipinos initially requested repatriation, but only 26 have been confirmed and are now being processed, the embassy said.
Department of Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Eduardo De Vega told Dobol B TV on Saturday that the 26 Filipinos may return home this weekend.
Filipinos could exit Israel by crossing its border into Jordan since flight operations are currently suspended.
However, De Vega said some overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) remain hesitant to go back to the Philippines and asked for assurance that they could still return to Israel after the tensions.
"Ang problema po, kakaunti lang talaga ang gustong umuwi dahil ang number one tinatanong nila, 'Kung uuwi kami, makakabalik ba kami?' Hindi namin maga-guarantee 'yan, kasi kailan matatapos ang gulo?"
(The problem is, very few OFWs want to go home because the number one question they ask is, 'If we go home, will we be able to come back?' We cannot guarantee that, because we do not know when the conflict will end.)
Senator Raffy Tulfo urged OFWs in Israel and Iran to evacuate.
"With this development, we are earnestly encouraging more of our kababayans in both countries to evacuate and leave crucial areas to ensure their safety," said Tulfo, chairperson of the Senate committee on migrant workers.
"Bagamat ang alert level na ito ay hindi pa nangangahulugang puwersahang paglikas at voluntary repatriation pa lamang, mas makabubuting lumisan patungo sa mas ligtas na lugar o magpa-repatriate na para sa inyong kapakanan at kaligtasan," he added.
(Although this alert level does not yet mean forced evacuation and only voluntary repatriation, it would be better to leave for a safer place or repatriate for your own well-being and safety.)
Tulfo said the Philippine government is prepared to assist the repatriated OFWs.
Iran and Israel exchanged fresh attacks early Saturday, a day after Tehran said it would not negotiate over its nuclear program while under threat and Europe tried to keep peace talks alive, Reuters reported. —KG/VBL, GMA Integrated News
