Filipinos working in Israel were told yesterday to avoid areas at risk from suicide bombers as government officials confirmed the death of two Philippine nationals in last Sunday's bomb blast in a passenger bus in Galilee.
Filipinos working in Israel were told yesterday to avoid areas at risk from suicide bombers as government officials confirmed the death of two Philippine nationals in last Sunday's bomb blast in a passenger bus in Galilee.
The Philippine Ambassador to Israel, Marciano Paynor, in interviews with television and radio stations in Manila from his office in Tel Aviv, reported that some 30,000 Filipinos working in Israel have been told to avoid high-risk areas in the wake of the blast.
"They have been warned not to take passenger buses and to avoid public areas such as cafes, malls and similar establishments," he said.
While the Philippine diplomatic mission in Tel Aviv is taking necessary steps to prevent its nationals from being hurt, there are conflicting reports in Manila over whether the government will initiate measures to evacuate Filipinos in Israel.
In an interview, Labour Undersecretary in charge of migrant workers' affairs, Manuel Imson, said the department has not yet initiated plans to send home Philippine nationals and there are no plans to restrict Filipinos from leaving for jobs in Israel.
However, Foreign Secretary , Blas Ople said his department has offered Filipinos in Israel the option to be repatriated, but only a few appear to be interested in taking the opportunity.
"The majority of the Filipinos there want to stay despite the risk," he said. Most of the Filipinos in Israel are employed as caregivers in homes for the elderly.
The Filipino victims of the blast were identified as Adelina Cunanan and Rebecca Ruga. Paynor said they are processing the necessary documents to send back the remains of the two.
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