PH ambassador hides in Israel bomb shelter upon Iran’s attack before interview
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PH ambassador hides in Israel bomb shelter upon Iran’s attack before interview
Marilyn Cahatol,
ABS-CBN News
Published Jun 23, 2025 02:41 PM PHT

This picture shows a rocket trail from Israel's Iron Dome missile defense system batteries fired to intercept rockets launched from Iran above the Dome of the Rock in the al-Aqsa mosque compound in Jerusalem's Old City on June 13, 2025. Ahmad Gharabli, AFP

MANILA — Philippine Ambassador to Israel Aileen Mendiola was supposed to appear on ANC’s Dateline early morning of Monday but was delayed by Iran’s recent missile attack on Israel.
MANILA — Philippine Ambassador to Israel Aileen Mendiola was supposed to appear on ANC’s Dateline early morning of Monday but was delayed by Iran’s recent missile attack on Israel.
The ambassador shared she and her team received the Israeli government’s text message, advising all residents to seek shelter from Iran's attacks. Another text message saying it is safe to come outside arrived 30 minutes later.
The ambassador shared she and her team received the Israeli government’s text message, advising all residents to seek shelter from Iran's attacks. Another text message saying it is safe to come outside arrived 30 minutes later.
Mendiola called the attack “mild,” as no Filipino has been affected.
Mendiola called the attack “mild,” as no Filipino has been affected.
“It’s highly likely that Iran will continue to send missiles over to Israel and for the 30,000 Filipinos, going to the bomb shelter would be the rigor,” Mendiola said.
“It’s highly likely that Iran will continue to send missiles over to Israel and for the 30,000 Filipinos, going to the bomb shelter would be the rigor,” Mendiola said.
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“This is a way of life already for us here in Israel,” she added.
“This is a way of life already for us here in Israel,” she added.
As of Monday, 253 Filipinos have requested to be repatriated to the Philippines, aside from the 26 Filipinos first repatriated yesterday and one Filipino tourist assisted to cross the border through Jordan.
As of Monday, 253 Filipinos have requested to be repatriated to the Philippines, aside from the 26 Filipinos first repatriated yesterday and one Filipino tourist assisted to cross the border through Jordan.
Another 50 overseas Filipino workers are currently in line for repatriation.
Another 50 overseas Filipino workers are currently in line for repatriation.
The voluntary repatriation is given only for OFWs with no plan to return to Israel.
The voluntary repatriation is given only for OFWs with no plan to return to Israel.
Mendiola shared this causes Filipinos’ hesitation to go back, among others.
Mendiola shared this causes Filipinos’ hesitation to go back, among others.
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She underscored that the embassy will also assist Filipinos who choose to stay in Israel.
She underscored that the embassy will also assist Filipinos who choose to stay in Israel.
“We make sure that those who want to be repatriated are repatriated. And we will continue to care for the ones who intend to remain,” she told ANC’s Dateline.
“We make sure that those who want to be repatriated are repatriated. And we will continue to care for the ones who intend to remain,” she told ANC’s Dateline.
In an interview with DZMM Teleradyo, Mendiola said the homes of 32 Filipinos in Israel were impacted by Iran's attacks.
In an interview with DZMM Teleradyo, Mendiola said the homes of 32 Filipinos in Israel were impacted by Iran's attacks.
So far, eight Filipinos were injured. Seven of them have been discharged, while one remained in critical condition and has undergone two lung surgeries, Mendiola said.
So far, eight Filipinos were injured. Seven of them have been discharged, while one remained in critical condition and has undergone two lung surgeries, Mendiola said.
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