Pinoys told to postpone non-essential travel to Israel

MANILA, Philippines — Alert Level 2 for Israel, advising Filipinos to postpone non-essential travel to Israel, remains, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said yesterday.

“The Philippine government confirms that its previous declaration of Alert Level 2 for the State of Israel, restricting further deployments of overseas Filipino workers there, remains in place,” the DFA said.

The Philippine embassy in Tel Aviv continues to recommend that all non-essential travel from the Philippines to Israel be postponed indefinitely, or until such time that the situation has stabilized.

If travel to Israel is absolutely necessary, Filipinos are advised to take all precautions.

Filipinos in the region are advised to be alert and updated with the security pronouncements of their host governments.

DFA Undersecretary Eduardo Jose de Vega said Tuesday that the DFA has not received recommendations from the Philippine embassies in Tel Aviv and Tehran to raise the alert level in the two countries following Iran’s unprecedented attack on Israel over the weekend.

Meanwhile, Rep. Ron Salo of the House committee on overseas workers affairs met with Iranian Ambassador Yousef Esmaeil Zadeh to discuss the welfare of the four Filipino seafarers on the Israeli ship seized by the Iran Navy.

During the meeting, he said Zadeh emphasized Iran’s support for the welfare of Filipino seafarers, underscoring the good relations that “exist between the people and the government of the Philippines and that of Iran.”

Salo said that repatriating the seafarers “is of paramount importance and requires a collective, whole-of-government effort.”

Salo said Zadeh also highlighted the “importance of the shipowner’s cooperation with the Iranian government, noting that the action was based on a judicial order from an Iranian court.”

Dubai flooding

Meanwhile, the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) reported no Filipinos were affected by massive flooding in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

But as the rain continues, the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) reminded Filipinos in Dubai to avoid going to flooded areas.

OWWA also advised the Filipinos to prepare emergency kits, including food, water and flashlight.

“Stay connected with family and friends,” the OWWA added, reminding Filipinos to get updates from local authorities regarding the weather conditions. –  Sheila Crisostomo, Mayen Jaymalin