PH calls for diplomacy amid escalation of conflict in Middle East

MANILA, June 23 ------ The Philippines called on those involved in the ongoing conflict in the Middle East to look for peaceful means to resolve the situation. In a statement, the Department of Foreign Affairs said the country is "greatly concerned over the developments in the Middle East in these last few hours," which saw the United States enter the fray by launching air strikes into Iran's main nuclear sites. “We strongly urge concerned parties to take the path of diplomacy and avoid further escalation of this conflict that could threaten regional and international peace and security,” the DFA.

The DFA is especially concerned over the safety of Filipinos based in the region. There are nearly 3 million Filipinos living and working in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region which is nearby the conflict. “The welfare and safety of Filipinos in the region are of primordial concern, and the Philippine government will relentlessly continue to advance and prioritize their protection,” said the DFA. “The Philippine Embassies in the region stand ready to provide necessary assistance to Filipinos in their jurisdictions.”

Israel and Iran have traded wave after wave of devastating strikes since Israel launched attacks on June 13, saying Tehran was on the verge of developing a nuclear weapon. The US later joined in, mounting an attack on three suspected Iranian nuclear sites.

REPATRIATION

Meanwhile, the Department of Migrant Workers has started facilitating the repatriation of Filipinos from Israel. DMW Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac and Philippine Ambassador to Jordan Wilfredo Santos, along with the team of Philippine Embassy and Migrant Workers Office in Amman, Jordan personally assisted 26 overseas Filipino workers and one Filipina tourist from Israel who have availed of the Philippine government’s voluntary repatriation program.

The OFWs and the Pinay tourist have crossed over from Israel through King Hussein Bridge in Jordan and were welcomed by the Philippine Embassy, and DMW-MWO team. According to the DMW, the group was the first wave of OFWs to arrive at the Jordanian border. “The 26 OFWs, along with three other OFWs in Jordan and one OFW from the West Bank are expected to arrive in Manila with Secretary Cacdac on Tuesday morning,” said the DMW in a statement.

Source: news.abs-cbn.com