Using Jordan as a safe passage for Filipinos evacuating Israel might change in the coming days as “the risks spread,” the consul general of the Philippine Embassy in Tel Aviv said on Sunday night, June 22, raising the possibility of using Egypt or the Mediterranean Sea to bring Filipinos back home.

“So it's not always the case that the safe passage should be towards Jordan. Pwede po magbago yan (That can change). Again, depending on how the war develops and how, you know, the risks spreads,” Philippine Embassy in Tel Aviv Deputy Chief of Mission and Consul General Anthony Achilles Mandap explained during an online press conference.

“Maaaring sa mga darating na araw, Egypt ang safe passage natin (In the coming days, our safe passage might be Egypt) in south – it could also be towards the Mediterranean,” he added, noting that all of these available passages may also close in the future.

“So, we have to be constantly watchful of what's happening.”

Egypt lies south of Israel, while Jordan is to the east. In the past, during the evacuation of Filipinos during the Arab Spring, the Philippine government also worked with several countries to evacuate their citizens via chartered ships on the Mediterranean Sea, which lies west of Israel.

Mandap said these possibilities are open because the airspace in Israel remains closed and all flights have been suspended.

He, however, commended the Philippines’ good relations with Jordan, who has provided all the assistance needed to repatriate the first batch of 26 Filipinos from Israel.

The official also expressed confidence that the “same arrangements” will be extended for the succeeding batches of Filipino repatriates.

According to the Philippine Embassy in Israel, there are now 253 Filipinos from Israel who signified interest to go back to the Philippines. Among them are the 50 OFWs who confirmed for repatriation.

Meanwhile, Philippine Ambassador to Jordan Wilfredo Santos said that alert level 1 is maintained in Jordan because “there is no direct attack here in Jordan right now.”

“It's very peaceful outside. The only threat we have is, of course, Jordan is in the path of missiles being fired by Iran towards Israel. We have advised our nationals to follow strictly the safety guidelines issued by the Jordanian government whenever they see debris falling from the skies,” he shared, though the falling debris are mostly in northern Jordan, and not in the capital city of Amman, where most Filipinos are staying.

“Now, of course, the situation, the increase in alert level will depend on the corresponding situation and the assessment we will make. But the threat here is not that yet as serious as in Iran and Israel,” he said.

Santos stressed that this is not the first time that Jordan became a path of missiles to Israel from Iran, citing an incident in April and October last year.

No casualties have so far been reported because of the debris falling from the skies, he added.

Expressing his gratitude to the Jordanian government, the ambassador disclosed that it allowed Filipinos evacuating from Israel to enter and stay in Jordan for up to 72 hours so they can take their connecting and return flights to the Philippines.

“This is a reflection of the good relations we have with Jordan. And it shows that even in difficult times, we find ways, we find common ground to solve these problems for our nationals here,” he said.

But while Jordan remains in alert level 1 and Filipinos are advised to take precautions, Santos underscored the need to “be ready” for the possibility of raising the alert level depending on the situation.