Latest news with #EduardodeVega
The Star
a day ago
- Politics
- The Star
21 Philippine officials stuck in Israel to return to Manila by weekend
MANILA: The 21 Filipino government officials stranded in Israel are set to travel back home to the Philippines this weekend, said the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA). The 21 officials were stranded after Israel closed its airspace and airports due to Iran's retaliatory air raids. 'They will be flying home this weekend [through] Jordan,' DFA Usec. Eduardo de Vega (pic) told According to De Vega the officials will be travelling to Jordan within the week, before heading back to the Philippines during the weekend. De Vega said there are nine mayors, four vice mayors, two party-list representatives, and two regional directors stuck in Israel. Additionally, four officials from the Department of Agriculture were also with them. The DFA, however, refused to identify the 21 officials out of respect for their privacy. Meanwhile, in a separate chance interview, Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr said the 21 officials have already arrived in Jordan on Tuesday night (Manila time). 'We've tried to find ways to get them out, either via Egypt or the option that they took is a land trip to Jordan,' said Laurel. 'And from Jordan, they will be flown back to Qatar and back to Manila. Pero, but they just arrived in Jordan last night,' he added. - Philippine Daily Inquirer/ANN
GMA Network
2 days ago
- Politics
- GMA Network
PH gov't considering raising alert levels in Israel, Iran amid conflict
A drone photo shows the damage over residential homes at the impact site following missile attack from Iran on Israel, in Tel Aviv, Israel June 16, 2025. REUTERS/ Moshe Mizrahi The Philippine government is considering raising is alert levels on Israel and Iran as attacks between the two countries continue. 'We are considering the same, but in fact, we are already acting as if both countries were on Alert Level 3 or voluntary repatriation,' Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Eduardo de Vega told GMA News Online. He added that the Philippine government is looking into the situation of the affected areas and the safety of Filipinos before raising the alert levels. Israel is currently at Alert Level 2 or restriction, which is issued if there are real threats to the life, security, and property of Filipinos arising from internal disturbance, instability, or external threat. Meanwhile, Iran is under Alert Level 1 or precautionary, which is issued when there are valid signs of internal disturbance, instability, and/or external threat to the host country. Israel launched the air war on Iran last Friday, calling it a "preemptive strike" to stop the Islamic republic from developing a nuclear weapon. Iran, which maintains that its nuclear program is purely for civilian purposes, is a signatory to the Non-Profileration Treaty, while Israel is not. The DFA earlier said 26 Filipinos may be repatriated from Israel this weekend via border crossing into Jordan since flight operations are currently suspended. They are among the 150 Filipinos who have expressed willingness to leave Israel. Meanwhile, the DFA is arranging the repatriation of 17 Filipinos who want to leave Iran. The Philippine Embassy in Tehran is also working on sending its non-essential diplomatic staff back to the Philippines. — BM, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
01-06-2025
- GMA Network
PH to provide legal assistance to 11 Pinoys jailed in Nigeria
The Philippine government will assist the 11 Filipinos who were jailed in Nigeria for alleged "cyber-terrorism and internet fraud," Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Eduardo de Vega said Sunday. 'Our Embassy is working on the case. They will be provided legal assistance,' De Vega told GMA News Online. On Saturday, the Agence France Presse reported the Filipinos were among 15 foreigners who were arrested, which include two Chinese, one Malaysian and one Indonesian. They were each sentenced to one year in prison by a Lagos court and fined one million naira (about $630) after they pleaded guilty, said Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) spokesman Dele Oyewale. They were accused of recruiting young Nigerians for "identity theft and to hold themselves out as persons of foreign nationality." The Philippines has an embassy in Abuja, Nigeria and a consulate in Lagos. —RF, GMA Integrated News
Filipino Times
31-03-2025
- Politics
- Filipino Times
DFA anticipates repatriation requests from Filipinos in quake-hit Myanmar
The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) expects repatriation requests from Filipinos affected by the magnitude 7.7 earthquake in Myanmar, as some have lost their jobs due to the disaster, an official said. DFA Undersecretary Eduardo de Vega said the Philippine embassy is assessing the situation to respond to potential requests for assistance. 'Sa Myanmar maaaring magkakaroon dahil may mga nawalan ng trabaho. Iniimbestigahan ng embassy para bigyan ng tugon ang kanilang request,' De Vega told GMA Integrated News' Unang Balita. He added that, similar to the response in Türkiye in 2023, the government will assist those who wish to return home. Due to disruptions at Myanmar's airports, De Vega said repatriated Filipinos will first be transported to Bangkok, Thailand. The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) will also extend aid to affected individuals. Meanwhile, four Filipinos remain missing following the earthquake. A Reuters report said the death toll in Myanmar has exceeded 1,700 as of this writing. The Office of Civil Defense (OCD) announced that a high-level inter-agency meeting was held to coordinate the Philippine response and provide necessary support to affected individuals. 'We stand in solidarity with Myanmar during this difficult time. The Philippines is ready to respond to the urgent needs of our neighbor,' the OCD said in a statement.
