Latest news with #MosheMizrahi
GMA Network
3 hours ago
- Politics
- GMA Network
PH raises alert level 3 in Israel and Iran, orders voluntary repatriation
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 on Friday raised crisis alert level 3 in Israel and Iran, urging Filipino workers there to avail of voluntary repatriation amid ongoing armed hostilities between the two Middle Eastern countries. Filipinos there should consider getting themselves and their dependents repatriated to avoid getting caught in the middle of ongoing clashes, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said in a statement. Crisis level 3 or voluntary repatriation phase is imposed by the Philippine government on countries with deteriorating security conditions. At least 30,000 workers, mostly caregivers, are in Israel, and more than 1,000 are in Iran. "All overseas Filipinos in Israel and Iran are enjoined to return to the Philippines," the DFA said. "Travel by Filipinos to both these countries is highly discouraged due to the ongoing crisis and the actual closure of their airspace and seaports." Those who wish to leave were advised by the DFA to contact the embassy to coordinate their repatriation. Security alert advisories, the DFA said, "will be subject to periodic review, taking into consideration the situation on the ground." Israel and Iran have traded missile strikes for a week, trapping civilians and foreign nationals on both sides of the conflict, triggering international alarm. ''The Department hopes that parties will cease hostilities soon," the DFA said. — VBL, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
5 hours ago
- Politics
- GMA Network
AFP 'stands ready' for possible repatriation of Pinoys in Iran, Israel
A drone photo shows the damage over residential homes at the impact site in Tel Aviv following a missile attack from Iran on Israel on June 16, 2025. REUTERS/ Moshe Mizrahi The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) assured Friday it is prepared to assist in the possible repatriation of Filipinos in Iran and Israel amid the escalating conflict between the two countries. According to AFP spokesperson Colonel Francel Margareth Padilla, the Philippine military is closely monitoring the developments in the Middle East, particularly the Iran-Israel conflict. "At this time, our priority is to support the Philippine government's efforts to ensure the safety and possible repatriation of Filipinos in affected areas," said Padilla. "Should the need arise, the AFP stands ready to assist as directed. We will be guided by the decisions and policies of higher civilian authorities in all actions related to this evolving situation," she said. Israel bombed multiple targets in 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-Proliferation Treaty, while Israel is not. The exchange of missile attacks between the two countries have already dragged on for seven days. The DFA earlier said 26 Filipinos may be repatriated from Israel this weekend via border crossing into Jordan since flight operations are currently suspended. PH Air Force assets ready Meanwhile, the Philippine Air Force (PAF) also expressed readiness to deploy aircraft and personnel for repatriation efforts. "PAF anticipates and prepares for any eventuality that our assets may be utilized for evacuation," said PAF spokesperson Colonel Ma. Consuelo Castillo. "Normally, we use our C-130s for that purpose," she added. The Philippine government has said it is considering to raise alert levels for Israel and Iran. 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. On the other hand, 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. According to Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Eduardo de Vega, Alert Level 3 or voluntary has yet to be declared but the Philippine government is already active as if both countries are under this status. — VDV, GMA Integrated News
The Standard
10 hours ago
- The Standard
China evacuates 1,600 from Iran and hundreds from Israel, warns of border congestion
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/File Photo
GMA Network
2 days ago
- Politics
- GMA Network
DMW: 150 OFWs in Israel up for repatriation amid Israel-Iran 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 At least 150 overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in Israel will be repatriated to the Philippines amid ongoing missile strikes between Israel and Iran, the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) said Thursday. In an interview with Super Radyo dzBB, DMW Secretary Hans Cacdac, who is leaving the country to go to Jordan, said the 150 OFWs are expected to be back to the country as soon as possible in compliance with President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr.'s directive. "I will make a first stop to Beirut to assure the Filipino community of assistance there, then I will proceed to Jordan as directed by the President. Mandatory repatriation is not yet appropriate, but we know that there are OFWs who are willing to come home, who want to come home, that is why we are facilitating their repatriation, and indeed, out of Jordan, we will undertake the repatriation efforts," Cacdac said. "So far, 150 OFWs want repatriation. I cannot give further details due to security reasons, but rest assured, we will have our first batch coming home [soon] since the Iran-Israel conflict. The situation is quite fluid, so I won't set a timeline, but rest assured, this is being done as soon as possible," he added. Cacdac said the exchange of airstrikes between Israel and Iran have reached an unusual level, to say the least, but not yet to a point of a need of mandatory repatriation due to the existence of bomb shelters both in private and public properties in Israel. "Sa tingin ko, ito ay kakaiba. Let me just put it that way. We have never seen itong ganitong palitan ng missile attacks between the two nations. Of course, nagkaroon na ng mga conflict in the last year or months mula noong October 7 Hamas attack on Israel but this would be different level, different scale," Cacdac said. (This is kind of unusual. We have never seen this level of exchange of missile attacks between the two nations. Of course, there have been conflicts since the October 7 Hamas attack on Israel, but what is going on now is of a different scale.) "We also have to consider that they have bomb shelters and they have protocols that are widely disseminated. If the residence of the employers of OFWs does not have a bomb shelter, there are municipal bomb shelters," he added. In addition, Cacdac said that of the five Filipinos hurt due to the ongoing Israel-Iran conflict, three have already been discharged from the hospital, one is recovering and one is in critical condition. Israel has launched a preemptive strike against Iran six days ago, supposedly to deter Iran's nuclear program. —AOL, GMA Integrated News
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
