Be vigilant, Filipinos in Israel told

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine embassy in Tel Aviv has advised Filipinos in Israel to be on alert after Iran launched a retaliatory attack on Israel.

In an advisory on its Facebook account, the embassy told Filipinos to avoid or postpone travel to Jerusalem and its popular destinations such as Temple Mount, Damascus Gate, Herod’s Gate, Al Wad Road, Musrara Road and East Jerusalem.

Filipinos were also advised to avoid or defer travel plans to West Bank, near the border in Lebanon and Golan Heights.

The embassy also urged Filipinos to avoid crowded places and follow instructions by the Israel Defense Forces and Home Front Command.

There are around 30,000 Filipinos in Israel and 2,000 in Iran, according to the Department of Foreign Affairs.

Countries have issued travel warnings for Israel, citing that the possibility of a direct attack on Israel appeared to be imminent. The attack could include more than 100 drones and dozens of missiles aimed at military targets inside the country.

Israel said more than 300 drones and missiles were launched to it from Iran, Iraq and Yemen with the vast majority of them intercepted.

Iran said it carried out the attack in response to an Israel attack on the Iranian consulate in Syria’s capital Damascus on April 1, which killed seven Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps members, including two generals.

Tensions have been increasing in the region since Hamas’ deadly terror attack and mass hostage taking last year and Israel’s subsequent attacks on Gaza.

Meanwhile, Sen. Aquilino Pimentel III yesterday called on President Marcos to help de-escalate the tension by promoting increased trade with neighboring countries.

In an interview over dzBB, Pimentel said if countries are involved in trading, Filipinos’ living standards will also improve.

“The tension has increased too much, there must be a way to lessen the tension or deescalate the tension, the world is too tense, the latest this morning in the Middle East, there was a bombing, there is a potential flashpoint in the world again,” Pimentel said.

“I hope here in our area, in the West Philippine Sea, China, Taiwan, good neighbors. Let’s not raise the tension. Let’s trade with each other because if we trade with each other, the war with each other will decrease. Let’s prioritize that, good standard of living,” Pimentel said. — Cecille Suerte Felipe