(UPDATE) MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Tuesday said that at least 1,460 Filipinos have reached out to the government for repatriation from different countries in the Middle East amid regional conflict.
In a press conference in Malacañang, Marcos urged Filipinos in the Middle East to follow local advisories and stay put for now, as repatriation efforts were not possible at the moment.
"We will slowly try to find ways, for those who want to be repatriated, we will find ways to get you out safely," Marcos, addressing those seeking repatriation.
"Stay indoors, stay away from areas of danger," he added.
As of Tuesday, around 586 OFWs from Dubai have asked for repatriation, 297 from Israel, 270 from Abu Dhabi, 231 from Bahrain, 22 from Jordan and 10 from Iran.
In the same press briefing, Marcos Jr. also called for a stop to hostilities in the Middle East, expressing hope the crisis ends “as quickly as possible.”
Marcos said that although the Philippines was not directly involved, it is hoping “for the fighting to stop."
“We are only involved tangentially, if you want to call it that, because of our people who are there. We have expressed support for the countries who have come under attack and we have made our feelings known that we hope that this crisis ends as quickly as possible,” he said.
“Let’s hope that there is a ceasefire and we, the Philippines, ask for all parties to show restraint and to bring this to a close,” he added.
To date, one fatality has been confirmed — 32-year-old Mary Anne Velasquez De Vera, a Filipina caregiver based in Israel. She died from a bomb shrapnel following Iran’ airstrike on Tel Aviv.
