Gov't mulls raising alert level for Pinoys in Israel, Iran

The Philippine government has called on Filipinos in Israel and Iran to avail of the government’s voluntary repatriation program amid plans to raise crisis alert level 3 in both countries because of the ongoing exchange of missile attacks.

- RAYMUND ANTONIO

During the Bagong Pilipinas Ngayon briefing, Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Undersecretary Eduardo de Vega said on Thursday, June 19, that they are currently waiting for DFA Secretary Enrique Manalo to sign the approval to raise alert level 3 in Israel and Iran.

Alert level 3 will activate the country's voluntary repatriation program, which means that Filipinos may opt to return to the Philippines, with full expenses to be shouldered by the government.

“We expect Secretary of Foreign Affairs po na by today ay pipirmahan na niya ang approval ng pag-akyat, kasi gagawin natin for both countries ay voluntary repatriation para mas mapaalala natin sa mga kababayan natin na may repatriation program na kailangang pagsamantalahan nila (he will sign the approval of the raising, because we’re going to raise voluntary repatriation for both countries to remind Filipinos that they should take advantage of the repatriation program). So, today we expect,” he explained approval yet, De Vega said that we are going by the premise” that there’s an ongoing voluntary repatriation.

‘Israel is still functioning’

Asked why the DFA did not recommend raising alert level four, or mandatory repatriation, in both countries, specifically in Israel where there are more than 30,000 Filipinos, De Vega explained that the war wasn’t full-scale yet.