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According to the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), there are still no restriction on the deployment of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) to Israel and Palestine.
This is amidst intensified attacks and increased threat on security on the Gaza strip. Gaza is a narrow land located in the middle of Israel and Egypt along the Mediterranean Sea.
Esteban Conejos Jr., Foreign Affairs undersecretary said that the Philippine government still sees no reason to impose a ban as the center of conflict and violence is only concentrated in Gaza.
He said, "The epicenter is only in Gaza. We are not inclined to impose a ban there."
The undersecretary added that based on the situation report from the Philippine embassy in Tel Aviv, Filipinos in South Israel are still safe from danger.
Conejos said, “Between 1,000 and 1,500 Filipinos are living and working in Southern Israel, most are employed as live-in caregivers. Amid the airstrikes, the Filipino workers find shelter in underground bunkers provided in the residences of their wards.
On the other hand, a deployment ban is not necessary in Palestine that has no existing deployment of OFWS.
Gaza has an estimated 108 Filipino residents, 20 of these are Filipinas who married Palestinians and the rest are their children.
Conejos also informed that the number of Filipinos who requested to be repatriated are only 6. This is based from the report of Philippine Ambassador of Israel, Petronilla Garcia.
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