DFA: 27 Pinoys from Israel, 8 from Iran to arrive this week

Twenty-seven Filipinos from Israel and eight from Iran are expected to return to the Philippines this week, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said Sunday.

DFA Undersecretary Eduardo de Vega said the Filipinos from Israel are composed of 26 overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) and one tourist.

“That’s today that they’re in Amman, so they could possibly arrive tomorrow because their flight is leaving Amman. So, possibly tomorrow afternoon nandiyan na sila (they're here), at the latest for sure Tuesday,” De Vega said at the Kapihan sa QC.

Meanwhile, eight Filipinos from Iran — six OFWs and two tourists — are set to return to the Philippines on Thursday.

Earlier today, DFA Assistant Secretary Robert Ferrer said nine Filipinos in Iran have requested repatriation, and over 200 Filipinos in Israel wanted to return to the Philippines.

On Friday, the Philippine government raised the crisis alert to level 3 in Israel and Iran, urging Filipinos in the affected areas to take advantage of the voluntary repatriation as armed hostilities between the two countries continue.

Eight Filipinos were injured amid the ongoing tensions between Israel and Iran, the Philippine Embassy in Tel Aviv said. 

At least 88 Filipinos have lost their homes due to missile impact, it added. —KG, GMA Integrated News