Caregiver first PH casualty; gov’t all set for repatriation
A Filipino caregiver was killed in Israel on Sunday as Iranian forces launched a counterattack—the first reported casualty in the unfolding crisis in the Middle East.
President Marcos confirmed the fatality in a video message, identifying her as Mary Ann Velazquez de Vera of Pangasinan.
She was identified as well by her husband, who is also an overseas Filipino worker (OFW) in Israel.
De Vera died after being hit by shrapnel while assisting her elderly ward get into a bomb shelter.
“The government will extend all the assistance that their family needs,” said Mr. Marcos, who also expressed concern over the unraveling conflict.
“I believe this war will continue,” the President said.
“We continue to closely monitor the situation of our fellow Filipinos who remain in the midst of this conflict, as hostilities continue in the Middle East,” Mr. Marcos said.
Oren Marmorstein, spokesperson of Israel’s foreign ministry, also confirmed to journalists De Vera’s death.
“This is a civilian building. We had children inside this building. We had elderly people in this building. One of these was an elderly woman and she lived with a Filipina caregiver,” he said in a livestream in Tel Aviv provided by the Israeli Government Press Office.
“The Iranian regime[’s] ballistic missiles murder[ed] this Philippine caregiver. This is what the Iranian regime is doing. They are aiming at civilians. They are targeting civilian neighborhoods,” he added.
Response systems
Meanwhile the Department of National Defense (DND) said on Sunday the Armed Forces of the Philippines is on standby to assist the more than 2 million Filipinos in the Middle East should the conflict between the United States-Israel and Iran escalate further.
“The [AFP] stands ready to assist in humanitarian and evacuation operations, if directed,” the DND said in a statement. “The protection of our nationals overseas remains a paramount concern, particularly amid rapidly evolving security developments.”
In a separate statement, AFP spokesperson Col. Francel Margareth Padilla said the military “remains on standby to support the national government’s response should the situation require it.”
The Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (TUCP) said the government should activate 24/7 rapid response systems and provide crucial information on the ground including workers’ rights.
“Clear, consistent, and real-time communication must be established with our kababayans on the ground, especially on critical matters such as their right to refuse unsafe work, access to emergency shelters, updated travel advisories, and verified hotline numbers,” TUCP party list Rep. and House Deputy Speaker Raymond Democrito Mendoza said in a statement on Sunday.
According to the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), around 975,000 Filipinos are in the United Arab Emirates, 813,000 in Saudi Arabia, and 250,000 in Qatar. DFA data also showed there are 800 Filipinos in Iran and 31,000 in Israel. The rest are spread across the region.
Advisories
Philippine embassies across the Gulf region have released advisories for the safety of residing Filipinos.
They cautioned against traveling to and out of the region due to the “security situation,” which puts at risk the area’s air space. They also advised safety and security measures amid the ongoing tensions.
“Filipino nationals are advised to prepare adequate food, water, medicine and other necessary supplies sufficient for their needs while sheltering in place,” the Philippine Embassy in Iraq said.
The Embassy in Bahrain also encouraged Filipinos to prepare important documents including passports.
The Embassy in Iran, meanwhile, asked Filipino citizens to “remain calm yet vigilant.”
Flight cancellations
The Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (Caap) said at least 23 international flights were canceled while three more were diverted as of Saturday due to safety concerns and airspace restrictions.
“We are closely monitoring the situation in the Middle East and are in constant coordination with airlines, airport authorities, and international aviation partners. The safety and security of passengers and flight operations remain our highest priority,” Caap Director General Raul del Rosario said on Sunday.
Cebu Pacific, the Philippines’ largest carrier, has extended its rebooking and travel fund conversion options for passengers flying to Dubai through March 4 and for travelers to Riyadh through March 5. It has canceled at least four flights to and from Dubai scheduled for March 2.
“As this remains a developing situation, further schedule adjustments may be necessary,” Cebu Pacific said.
Flag carriers Qatar Airways, Emirates and Etihad Airways said their operations remain affected by ongoing restrictions on regional airspace, as they urged passengers to monitor flight updates.
Qatar Airways said its flight operations remain “temporarily suspended” due to the continued closure of Qatari airspace, adding that flights will resume only after the Qatar Civil Aviation Authority declares the airspace safe to reopen.
Etihad announced the suspension of all flights to and from Abu Dhabi until 2 a.m. UAE time (6 a.m.) on March 2. It said the situation remains “dynamic,” warning that schedules may change at short notice as airlines continue coordinating with authorities in the region. —WITH REPORTS FROM GILLIAN VILLANUEVA AND LOGAN KAL-EL M. ZAPANTA
******
Get real-time news updates: inqnews.net/inqviber
