The Philippine government is facing mounting challenges in repatriating citizens from Israel and Iran as regional tensions continue to disrupt air travel.
Philippine Ambassador to Israel Aileen Mendiola-Rau reported that 54 Filipinos in Israel—composed of 32 tourist pilgrims and 22 Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs)—have already expressed their intent to return home. However, both Israeli and Jordanian airspace remain closed, complicating evacuation efforts.
“The only viable option for now is to bring them to Egypt,” Mendiola-Rau explained, noting that the route carries risks due to the presence of U.S. military bases that could be targeted by Iranian missile strikes.
Meanwhile, in Tehran, Philippine Ambassador Roberto Manalo confirmed that some Filipinos in Iran have also requested repatriation. Of the estimated 900 Filipinos in the country—including 50 OFWs, Filipino-Iranian families, and students—several have sought to leave following the closure of schools.
Like in Israel, the embassy in Iran is constrained by closed airspace. Manalo said the embassy is exploring the Turkish border as a possible exit route.
“This time around ang open border na nakikita namin would be the Turkish border,” he said. Türkiye is located northwest of Iran.
“Ang aming plan if ever… is dadalhin namin sila up to the Turkish border, and once na maitawid namin sila doon, dapat sasaluhin sila ng ating embassy naman doon sa Turkey at sila na bahala na i-repatriate sila back to the Philippines,” he added.
However, there is still no definite date when the embassy can do so because they have to process the entry visa of Filipinos. (Joseph Pedrajas)
