21 Philippine officials in Israel ‘safely evacuated’ to Jordan: embassy
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21 Philippine officials in Israel ‘safely evacuated’ to Jordan: embassy
Jamaine Punzalan,
ABS-CBN News,
Agence France-Presse
Published Jun 19, 2025 06:29 AM PHT
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Updated Jun 19, 2025 09:32 AM PHT
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Israeli air defense systems are activated to intercept Iranian missiles over the Israeli city of Tel Aviv early on June 18, 2025. Israel and Iran exchanged fire again on June 17, the fifth day of strikes in their most intense confrontation in history, fuelling fears of a drawn-out conflict that could engulf the Middle East. Menahem Kahana, AFP
Israeli air defense systems are activated to intercept Iranian missiles over the Israeli city of Tel Aviv early on June 18, 2025. Israel and Iran exchanged fire again on June 17, the fifth day of strikes in their most intense confrontation in history, fuelling fears of a drawn-out conflict that could engulf the Middle East. Menahem Kahana, AFPMANILA — Twenty-one Philippine government officials who were stranded in Israel following the escalation of its conflict with Iran were “safely evacuated” to Jordan, the embassy there said Thursday.
MANILA — Twenty-one Philippine government officials who were stranded in Israel following the escalation of its conflict with Iran were “safely evacuated” to Jordan, the embassy there said Thursday.
The Philippine Embassy in Jordan said it “successfully received and facilitated the border crossing” of the 21 officials after its counterpart in Tel Aviv “made the necessary representations with the Israeli Government in support of this mission.”
The Philippine Embassy in Jordan said it “successfully received and facilitated the border crossing” of the 21 officials after its counterpart in Tel Aviv “made the necessary representations with the Israeli Government in support of this mission.”
“In Amman, the Embassy, under the leadership of Ambassador [Wilfredo] Santos, made formal representations to Jordan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates and the Jordanian Border Security to secure entry clearance for the officials,” it said.
“In Amman, the Embassy, under the leadership of Ambassador [Wilfredo] Santos, made formal representations to Jordan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates and the Jordanian Border Security to secure entry clearance for the officials,” it said.
“The group was met by Ambassador Santos at the King Hussein Border, where they were provided with the necessary assistance and issued transit visas — all at no cost to the Philippine government,” the embassy added.
“The group was met by Ambassador Santos at the King Hussein Border, where they were provided with the necessary assistance and issued transit visas — all at no cost to the Philippine government,” the embassy added.
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The 17 officials had attended a short course in Israel and were supposed to return to the Philippines last weekend, the Department of Foreign Affairs said.
The 17 officials had attended a short course in Israel and were supposed to return to the Philippines last weekend, the Department of Foreign Affairs said.
But adter decades of enmity and a prolonged shadow war, Israel on Friday launched a surprise air campaign aimed at preventing Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons—an ambition Tehran denies.
But adter decades of enmity and a prolonged shadow war, Israel on Friday launched a surprise air campaign aimed at preventing Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons—an ambition Tehran denies.
Around 30,000 Filipinos work in Israel, mostly as caregivers, hotel industry workers, students, and engineers.
Around 30,000 Filipinos work in Israel, mostly as caregivers, hotel industry workers, students, and engineers.
The Philippine Embassy in Amman said it expected to receive in “the next few days” the first group of OFWs exiting Israel through Jordan and would assist in their repatriation.
The Philippine Embassy in Amman said it expected to receive in “the next few days” the first group of OFWs exiting Israel through Jordan and would assist in their repatriation.
Filipinos in the West Bank who may need assistance may contact the Embassy through ATN Hotlines at +962 77 907 7778, +962 77 907 7775, +962 77 798 8818, +962 77 721 9000, and +962 6 590 1730 for consular assistance.
Filipinos in the West Bank who may need assistance may contact the Embassy through ATN Hotlines at +962 77 907 7778, +962 77 907 7775, +962 77 798 8818, +962 77 721 9000, and +962 6 590 1730 for consular assistance.
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IRAN 'WILL NEVER SURRENDER'
Supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said Wednesday Iran would never surrender, with the country unleashing hypersonic missiles in a new wave of attacks against Israel on the sixth day of war between the longtime enemies.
Supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said Wednesday Iran would never surrender, with the country unleashing hypersonic missiles in a new wave of attacks against Israel on the sixth day of war between the longtime enemies.
The latest missile barrage came hours after Israel said it had destroyed Iran's internal security headquarters in Tehran, and as it reported a new wave of attacks targeting missile systems and storage sites in the country's west.
The latest missile barrage came hours after Israel said it had destroyed Iran's internal security headquarters in Tehran, and as it reported a new wave of attacks targeting missile systems and storage sites in the country's west.
Khamenei also warned the United States against becoming involved in the conflict, after US President Donald Trump appeared to flirt with the idea in recent days, calling for Tehran's "unconditional surrender".
Khamenei also warned the United States against becoming involved in the conflict, after US President Donald Trump appeared to flirt with the idea in recent days, calling for Tehran's "unconditional surrender".
"This nation will never surrender," Khamenei said in a televised address, in which he called Trump's ultimatum "unacceptable".
"This nation will never surrender," Khamenei said in a televised address, in which he called Trump's ultimatum "unacceptable".
"America should know that any military intervention will undoubtedly result in irreparable damage."
"America should know that any military intervention will undoubtedly result in irreparable damage."
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Iran's state television reported the launch of Fattah hypersonic missiles, while the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps also announced the launch of so-called super-heavy, long-range missiles.
Iran's state television reported the launch of Fattah hypersonic missiles, while the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps also announced the launch of so-called super-heavy, long-range missiles.
An Israeli military official, who asked not to be named, said Wednesday that Iran had fired around 400 ballistic missiles and 1,000 drones since Friday.
An Israeli military official, who asked not to be named, said Wednesday that Iran had fired around 400 ballistic missiles and 1,000 drones since Friday.
About 20 missiles had struck civilian areas in Israel, the official added.
About 20 missiles had struck civilian areas in Israel, the official added.
Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz said earlier that air force jets had destroyed Iran's internal security headquarters, as AFP journalists in Tehran reported powerful explosions across the city.
Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz said earlier that air force jets had destroyed Iran's internal security headquarters, as AFP journalists in Tehran reported powerful explosions across the city.
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