PBBM: No mandatory repatriation yet for Filipinos in Israel, Iran

There is no need for mandatory repatriation yet for Filipinos amid the conflict between Israel and Iran, President Marcos said.

- BY BETHEENA UNITE and RAYMUND ANTONIO

Marcos said they leave it to the families to decide whether or not they would seek evacuation or repatriation.

"No, not yet. We generally leave it to each individual, to each family to decide for themselves whether or not they feel safe or whether or not they would like to be evacuated," Marcos said on Wednesday, June 18.

The President said they have already contacted Filipino nationals there and asked them if they wanted to be evacuated.

However, some of them have expressed the need to be repatriated as the situation is beginning to worsen.

"We, of course, are watching our nationals both in Israel and in Iran and as a matter of fact, we have already contacted all our nationals and asked them if they want to be evacuated," Marcos said.

"Some have asked to be evacuated out of Israel, some now, nung una sa Iran, ayaw nila munang umalis, pero ngayon, meron ng sinasabi na kailangan na, natatakot na sila, kaya nagpapatulong na makalabas (at first they do not want to leave, but now, some are saying they already need to evacuate as they started to fear the situation and they are seeking help to get out)," Marcos added.

The President said airports that are closed prevent them from evacuating those who have expressed their desire to leave both Israel and Iran.

"Ang naging problema natin sa pag evacuate sa kanila ay dahil sa giyera, maraming sarado na airport. Kaya't naghahanap tayo ng ruta kung saan sila mailabas (The only problem in evacuating them was, because of the conflict, many airports are closed. That is why we are looking for alternative routes to get them out)," Marcos said.

"But we have been able to do that and the first batch, in fact Secretary (Hans) Cacdac is already on his way to Jordan para ma-coordinate (to coordinate) both the evacuees from Israel and evacuees from Iran," he added.