Metro Manila, August 8 ------ The Philippine Embassy in Israel said Filipinos in the Middle Eastern country are safe despite ongoing tensions between Israeli and Palestinian forces in Gaza.
“Simula po kahapon, ka-text na po namin ‘yung ibang Filipino community leaders sa bawat area na affected dito sa Israel,” Reichel Quiñones, Chargé d'Affaires of the Philippine Embassy in Israel, told reporters. “Okay pa naman po sila, wala pa naman pong nagsasabi na nais nang umalis pero kung saka-sakali po, alam naman po nila kung paano magparating sa amin na nangangailangan po sila ng tulong.”
The Israeli military on August 5 launched deadly strikes in Gaza against Islamic Jihad militants. The recent conflict has killed at least 24 people and injured more than 200 individuals. Should tensions further escalate, Quiñones assured that a contingency plan, which is continuously being updated, is in place. “Ina-update po namin ang contingency plan at nariyan po ‘yung mga paraan na kailangang gawin kung saka-sakaling nangangailangan ng iba’t-ibang stages of action. So iba’t-ibang level po ng action ‘yan. ‘Di po agad-agad po tayo pupunta sa evacuation centers,” she explained. She added that the Department of Foreign Affairs is the designated body regarding repatriation plans.
Meanwhile, migrant worker Eva Pornel, who works in the Southern Israeli city of Ashkelon, shared that the situation in her area is manageable despite being near the border with Gaza. “Sa place ko po, okay ang sitwasyon kasi nga may bomb shelter kami pero may ibang mga Pilipino na nakatira pa rin sa village, sa mga lumang buildings, ‘yun ‘yung mga delikado talaga,” she said. She also disclosed that they are only given fifteen seconds to hide once sirens sound to signal an airstrike.
The Philippine Embassy in Israel has earlier advised Filipinos to take precautions amid escalating tensions between Israel and Palestinian militant groups.
Source: cnnphilippines.com