5 hours ago
1
Upgrade to High-Speed Internet for only ₱1499/month!
Enjoy up to 100 Mbps fiber broadband, perfect for browsing, streaming, and gaming.
Visit Suniway.ph to learn
Michael Punongbayan - The Philippine Star
June 28, 2025 | 12:00am
MANILA, Philippines — The Filipina caregiver who was hurt more than a week ago in one of Iran’s missile attacks on Israel remains in critical condition.
In its latest report, the Philippine embassy in Israel said the victim “is still in critical condition after sustaining severe and life-threatening injuries.”
“She has undergone two surgeries and is being treated at the ICU of Shamir Medical Center, one of Israel’s most advanced hospitals.”
The Philippine embassy still hasn’t identified the Filipina, who was first reported as among those injured in the missile attacks on June 16.
Eight Filipinos in Israel were hurt during the 12-day conflict, though the other seven have been discharged after receiving treatment for minor to moderate injuries.
Alert Level 3, which encourages the voluntary repatriation of Filipinos from Israel and Iran, remains in place though a ceasefire agreement has been reached and is now in effect.
For Israel, the Philippine embassy said 140 overseas Filipinos lost their homes due to missile impact, with 125 of them having been transferred to temporary housing accommodations and Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) shelters, while 15 are being processed for resettlement.
Some 26 OFWs have undergone voluntary repatriation, joining an earlier batch of another 100 Filipino pilgrims and students. About 75 more have been confirmed for the next batch for repatriation.
The Philippine embassy said 481 have received various forms of assistance, such as emergency financial assistance, provision of temporary shelter, relief packages containing food, clothes and hygiene products, while 141 have received psychosocial support and counseling.
Large-scale repatriation
Cavite 1st district Rep. Jolo Revilla asked yesterday the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) to urgently map out a large-scale, preemptive repatriation plan for all OFWs across the Middle East, amid growing fears that the Iran-Israel war is evolving into a wider regional conflict.
Revilla also called on Congress to stand ready to provide supplemental funding and fast-track emergency measures to support the DFA and DMW’s operations.
“Our OFWs are the lifeblood of our economy and the pride of the Filipino nation. Protecting them is not just a moral obligation, it is our solemn duty,” Revilla said in a statement.
Revilla warned that the escalation of hostilities between Tehran and Tel Aviv has already drawn in allied forces and proxy militias across the region, threatening to engulf nearby countries, where tens of thousands of Filipino workers reside.
“This is no longer just a bilateral war – it’s turning into a regional crisis with far-reaching consequences,” Revilla said.
“Our OFWs are scattered across this high-risk zone. The Philippine government must act now to ensure their safety before borders close and commercial routes become inaccessible,” he added.
Revilla urged the DFA, in close coordination with the DMW, to mobilize all embassies and consulates in the Middle East to immediately assess ground conditions, identify evacuation corridors, preposition supplies and activate emergency response protocols.
Ceasefire
The Bishop Military Ordinariate of the Philippines (MOP) on Friday prayed that the ceasefire between Iran and Israel will continue and peace talks commence between the two countries.
MOP Bishop Oscar Jaime Florencio expressed hope that peace talks between Israel and Iran should be initiated instead of the war.
“For me, the ceasefire should continue as many innocent lives were already claimed,” Florencio said. “Bring the issues to the negotiating table and talk.”
Meanwhile, the 21 government officials who were repatriated from Israel will apply lessons in local farming which they learned from the study tour on agriculture.
The delegation, composed of officials from the Department of the Interior and Local Government, Department of Agriculture and local government units, was invited by the Israeli government for a study tour on agricultural innovation, dairy production and cattle raising.
The officials were originally scheduled to return to the country in two batches on June 13 and 20, DILG Secretary Jonvic Remulla said.
However, when conflict erupted between Israel and Iran, flights were canceled and airspace closures left the group temporarily stranded.
A member of the group, Mayor Lilian Matamorosa of Lupi, Camarines Sur, said she and other members of their delegation completed the study tour despite Israel’s armed conflict with Iran. Matamorosa said she and other local officials will replicate Israel’s best practices in their respective areas with the national government’s support. — Bella Cariaso, Jose Rodel Clapano, Emmanuel Tupas
