Marcos: Repatriation of over 1K Pinoys from Middle East faces challenges

More than 1,000 Filipinos have requested for repatriation amid the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, according to President Ferdinand ''Bongbong'' Marcos Jr. on Tuesday. 

''So, as of early this morning, sampu ang gustong magpa-repatriate from Iran. Ang pinakamarami from Israel - 297, 22 from Jordan, 231 from Bahrain, 586 from Dubai, 270 from Abu Dhabi,'' Marcos said at a Palace briefing. 

(So, as of early this morning, 10 seek repatriation from Iran. There are 297 from Israel, 22 from Jordan, 231 from Bahrain, 586 from Dubai, and 270 from Abu Dhabi.) 

''Altogether that's 1,416 Filipino nationals who would like – who have requested repatriation,'' he added.

Marcos, however, admitted that the process of repatriation has remained a challenge since most airports are not fully operational.

''We have heard reports of attacks on different airports around the region, generally by – this is by Iran. ‘Yung mga tumulong sa Amerika at ‘yung mga tumulong – ‘yung mga bansa na tumulong sa Amerika ay inaatake ngayon ng Iran as retaliatory strikes,'' Marcos said.

(Those who helped America and the countries which helped US are being attacked by Iran as retaliatory strikes.) 

''Kaya’t very fluid ang situation. Ang assessment namin is delikado siguro magpalipad. Kahit na kaya nating kumuha ng eroplano at ipasok, wala tayong magagawa dahil number one, the airports are closed. They are all no-fly zones. This is a combat area,'' he added.

(Our situation is very fluid. Our assessment is that it's dangerous to fly right now even if we are able to get airplanes because number one, the airports are closed. They are all no-fly zones. This is a combat area.)

Transport by land

Even transporting the repatriates by land is also dangerous due to friendly fire incidents, according to Marcos. 

''Ngayon, by land, mayroong mga option na nagsasabing by land. ‘Yun din ay delikado din dahil kung magkaroon ng friendly fire incident – alam ninyo pagka may putukan, it is an active combat zone, ‘pag nakakita ka ng maraming sasakyan, eh baka bombahin ‘yun because they will misidentify it as some – a hostile movement,'' Marcos said. 

(Some are saying that we can transport them by land. However, it's also dangerous due to friendly fire incidents. It's an active combat zone and if they see that there are a lot of vehicles, maybe they will attack them because they will misidentify it as some hostile movement.) 

''So, that is also dangerous. Although that will be the best option that we will have in the immediate future dahil nga kinakatakutan pa natin ‘yung pagpalipad (since we are afraid of flying these individuals),'' he added. 

Marcos then advised Filipinos in Israel and other nations to ''just stay put and be safe.''

''And we will slowly try to find ways for those who want to be repatriated, we will find ways to get you out safely,'' Marcos vowed. 

The ongoing conflict and the escalation of attacks by the United States and Israel against Iran are a major concern for the Philippines in the Middle East, where more than 2.4 million Filipinos live and work. — RSJ, GMA Integrated News