Twenty-one Filipino government officials stranded in Israel during the ongoing conflict with Iran arrived safely in Manila on Saturday morning.
The group, which included 17 local government leaders and four agriculture specialists from the Department of Agriculture (DA), was welcomed at Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3 by Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla. Their trip, originally scheduled from June 10 to 20, was disrupted by escalating hostilities in the region.
Among the returnees were two congressmen, nine mayors, four vice mayors, and two regional directors. The DA officials were on a study mission focused on Israel’s dairy technology sector. Their safe return came after a coordinated evacuation that took them by bus to Amman, Jordan, and then by flights through Dubai to Manila.
Agriculture Secretary Francisco “Kiko” Tiu Laurel Jr. extended his gratitude to the Philippine embassies in Israel and Jordan, and to MASHAV—Israel’s development cooperation agency—for ensuring the team’s safety. The DA delegates included Assistant Secretary Benjamin Albarece, Carabao Center head Liza Battad, and National Dairy Authority officials Rowena Bautista and Angelica Escanilla.
Their hotel in central Israel reportedly experienced multiple missile alerts, heightening fears among the group. Israeli Ambassador Ilan Fluss confirmed that the government of Israel ensured their welfare, providing food, shelter, and assistance.
The Philippine government has raised a crisis alert level 3 in both Israel and Iran, encouraging Filipinos to consider voluntary repatriation due to worsening security risks. An estimated 30,000 Filipinos work in Israel, mostly as caregivers, while over 1,000 are based in Iran.