MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Migrant Workers and the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration have set up a task force to monitor the situation of Filipinos in Israel amid the conflict between Israeli forces and Hamas fighters.
In an advisory Saturday evening, the DMW said the agency, the Philippine Embassy in Tel-Aviv and the Migrant Workers Office in Israel are closely monitoring the situation of Filipinos there.
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Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared that Israel is “at war” following a surprise attack by the Palestinian militant group Hamas.
“Filipino community leaders are in touch with their members. They report that they remain calm and are accounted for,” the DMW said.
In an interview with Teleradyo Serbisyo 630 Sunday, DMW officer-in-charge Hans Leo Cacdac said some Filipinos in Israel are staying in shelters, while others have evacuated to different areas.
“We have no reported injuries or fatalities,” Cacdac said in Filipino.
The department advised overseas Filipino workers in Israel and their families to contact the hotline +63 2 1348 or the following WhatsApp and Viber numbers: +63 9083268344, +63 9271478186 or +63 9205171059.
According to the DMW, the family of an OFW had sought assistance from the agency. It said that the migrant worker is “safe and sound.
Embassy looking into kidnapping reports
The Philippine Embassy in Tel Aviv said that it is “still verifying” unconfirmed reports of several Filipinos being captured by Hamas fighters.
“As for the Agrostudies students, the person in charge said they have received no reports of kidnapping so far. All are accounted for,” the embassy said.
“We are, however, continuing to monitor the situation. We have asked the authorities to secure them,” it added.
The embassy announced Sunday that it will be closed until further notice “due to the current security situation.”
The embassy can still be contacted at +972-54-4661188.
More than 200 Israelis died in surprise massive rocket barrage and ground, air and sea offensive by Hamas. At least 232 Gazans were also killed when Israel retaliated with intense air strikes. — with report from Agence France-Presse