OFW deployment ban to Israel, Iran to be imposed

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June 24, 2025 | 12:00am

MANILA, Philippines — Amid the escalating Israel-Iran conflict, the Philippine government has suspended sending overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) to the two Middle Eastern countries.

Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Cacdac said that with the raising of alert level 3 in Israel and Iran, his department will issue the corresponding notice for a total deployment ban.

“We note the pronouncement by the DFA (Department of Foreign Affairs), first on the matter on the raising of the alert levels in Israel and Tehran. So we take note of that and of course, if it’s alert level 3, that will mean a total deployment ban,” Cacdac said in an online press conference Sunday evening.

Prior to the imposition of the total deployment ban, Cacdac noted that the Philippine government had already issued an advisory discouraging OFWs from proceeding to Israel and Jordan following exchange of missile attacks between Israel and Iran.

Asked about the possibility of raising alert levels in Saudi Arabia and other Middle East countries after the United States bombed Iran, Cacdac said the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) will rely on the political and security assessment of the DFA.

Regardless of the alert level, Cacdac gave assurance that the Philippine government will help OFWs who want to be repatriated and will provide them with financial and other appropriate assistance.

Cacdac said the Philippine government will be providing similar assistance to Filipino seafarers on board ships docked in Iran.

“Yes, we are fully aware of the situation and the possibility that ships may still dock in the ports of Iran. So rest assured, we have assistance also to be provided to OFWs there,” he noted.

Cacdac, who flew to Jordan, is set to return home today with the first batch of repatriated OFWs – 26 from Israel, three from Jordan and one from West Bank. The second batch of at least 33 OFWs who are already travel-ready are expected to come home soon.

Aside from those seeking repatriation, the government is providing accommodation for 53 OFWs in Israel whose homes were destroyed or are just simply seeking shelter.

Cacdac said the Philippine government has four existing accommodation facilities, with two unoccupied at this time.

According to the Philippine embassy in Tel Aviv, 127 Filipinos in Israel lost their homes since Iran’s missile attacks. Of this number, 118 have been transferred to temporary housing accommodation and nine are being processed for resettlement.

The embassy also said 253 OFWs have requested voluntary repatriation, of whom 50 have confirmed repatriation as of yesterday.

Philippine Ambassador to Israel Aileen Mendiola-Rau said at least 32 Filipino workers fled to bomb shelters after Iran’s retaliatory attacks. The Filipinos’ homes were affected by the missile strike.

“They were able to go to the bomb shelters. They are all safe,” Mendiola said over radio dzMM yesterday.

At least 375 OFWs have received various forms of assistance, such as emergency financial assistance, temporary shelter and relief packages containing food, clothes and hygiene products.

At a virtual press briefing on Sunday night, an official of the Philippine embassy in Tel Aviv said the situation is very fluid that evacuation of Filipinos in Israel via sea is possible in case the Jordan safe passage is closed.

Deputy Chief of Mission Anthony Achilles Mandap said Egypt and the Mediterranean may be considered for the safe passage of Filipinos. — Pia Lee-Brago, Alexis Romero, Elijah Felice Rosales, Marc Jayson Cayabyab