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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider 21 PH officials 'safely evacuated' from Israel to Jordan—embassy

21 PH officials 'safely evacuated' from Israel to Jordan—embassy

Published Jun 19, 2025 08:40 am  |  Updated Jun 19, 2025 05:46 pm
Amid the escalation conflict between Israel and Iran, the 21 Philippine government officials who were in a study program in Israel were safely evacuated through neighboring Jordan, the Philippine Embassy in Amman said.

Philippine Ambassador to Jordan Wilfredo Santos and embassy officials successfully receive the 21 Filipino government officials who were stranded in Israel amid Iranian missile attacks. (Photo from the Philippine Embassy in Jordan)
Philippine Ambassador to Jordan Wilfredo Santos and embassy officials successfully receive the 21 Filipino government officials who were stranded in Israel amid Iranian missile attacks. (Photo from the Philippine Embassy in Jordan)
In a statement on late Wednesday night, June 18, the embassy said the 21 officials were met by Philippine Ambassador to Jordan Wilfredo Santos and other embassy officers at the King Hussein Border.

“This coordinated effort was made possible through close collaboration between the Philippine Embassies in Tel Aviv and Amman,” the embassy stated.

“The Philippine Embassy in Tel Aviv actively coordinated with the Philippine Embassy in Jordan, relevant authorities, and made the necessary representations with the Israeli Government in support of this mission,” it added.

In Amman, the embassy coordinated with Jordan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates and the Jordanian Border Security to secure the clearance and entry for the Filipinos.

The group was met by Santos in the border, where they were issued transit visas and given necessary assistance at no cost to the Philippine government.

The evacuation of the 21 Philippine officials—nine mayors, four vice mayors, two partylist representatives, two regional directors, and four dairy industry specialists of the Department of Agriculture—came as promised by the Israeli government.

Mashav Deputy Head Ambassador Irit Savion Waidergorn of the Israeli Embassy in Manila said in an interview on Wednesday that the Filipino officials will be able to return to the country this week.

Department of Foreign Affairs’ (DFA) Undersecretary Eduardo de Vega told One News that the Philippine government officials are scheduled to take a flight to Manila this weekend.

The embassy, meanwhile, disclosed that it is also expected to welcome the first group of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) exiting Israel through Jordan.

They will also be provided with the necessary assistance in the repatriation process.

The Philippine Embassy in Tel Aviv said that it initially received 150 requests for repatriation but only 26 have confirmed so far and are now being processed.

Iran and Israel continue to exchange missiles on the first week since Israel first attacked Iran last Friday. Both countries carried out multiple attacks on Wednesday, with Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei saying that Iran “will not surrender to anyone.”

Related Tags

Israel-Iran attacks Philippine Embassy In Jordan OFWs repatriation
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