Filipinos from conflict-torn Israel back in PH

Metro Manila, Philippines - The first group of Filipinos from the Middle East arrived in the country on Tuesday evening, June 24, amid the Israel-Iran conflict.

The trip for the 31 Filipinos was delayed for nine hours after Qatar closed its airspace following an attack on a US air base in Doha.

The group is composed of 26 Filipinos from Israel, while three from Jordan, one from Palestine, and one from Qatar went home for other reasons.

Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Cacdac was with the group. They were expected to arrive at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport on Tuesday morning through a commercial flight from Doha.

“We were asked to deplane and stay safely inside the terminal at Doha Hamad International Airport,” Cacdac said in a post on X past 3 a.m. (Manila time).

At 10 a.m. past (Manila time), Cacdac shared they had boarded the plane following the reopening of Qatari airspace.

The repatriates will receive P150,000 cash aid, airport assistance, and temporary shelter or onward transportation to their respective provinces. The government will also provide other forms of aid, such as psychosocial assistance and free skills training vouchers, among others.

The United States on Sunday joined Israel’s campaign against Iran as it launched missiles at Tehran’s three nuclear sites.

The Philippine embassy in Qatar also advised Filipinos “to shelter in place until further notice.”

According to the embassy, the Qatari government reported no deaths and injuries from the missile attack on Al Udeid Air Base, an American air base, on Monday.

“All Filipinos are urged to continue monitoring the news and heed the advisories issued by local authorities and the embassy,” it said.

As of Monday, the Philippine embassy in Israel said 311 Filipinos have requested repatriation.

US President Donald Trump on Tuesday announced that a ceasefire between Israel and Iran was in place, with a view to ending the 12-day conflict.

But hours after, Trump said both nations violated the ceasefire.

- With reports from Reuters