Paglilikas sa mga OFWs madaliin
Ni NOEL ABUEL
Tahasang kinondena ng mga senador ang kongresista ang pag-atake ng teroristang grupo ng Hamas sa mga sibilyan sa Israel.
“We strongly condemn the violence committed by terrorists against innocent civilians in the ongoing conflict in Israel. We deplore the taking of hostages and seek their immediate release,” sabi ni Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri.
“Neither freedom nor justice can truly be won through this kind of violence. We call upon the Department of Migrant Workers, the Department of Foreign Affairs and other Philippine government agencies to secure our overseas Filipinos and ensure safe passage if necessary. We urge the full utilization of the Assistance to Nationals Fund for this purpose,” panawagan pa nito sa gobyerno..
“I pray for all who are affected by this conflict- particularly the thousands of our Filipino brothers and sisters. May the LORD cover you all,” dagdag pa nito
Sinabi naman ni Senador Raffy Tulfo na base sa ipinarating ni Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) Administrator, Arnerl Ignacio, tinatayang aabot sa 24,800 OFWs ang maaapektukhan dahil sa “state of war” na dineklara ng Israel matapos ang gulo dito.
“Puspusang nakikipag-ugayan ang aking opisina sa Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) at OWWA upang malaman ang kalagayan ng ating mga kababayan para masiguro ang kanilang kaligtasan at repatriation plan,” sabi nito.
Bumuo na rin aniya ang gobyerno ng task force na kinabibilangan ng DMW, OWWA at Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) na naatasang tututok at sisiguraduhin ang kaligtasan ng mga Pilipino sa Israel.
Sinabi pa ni Tulfo na sa kasalukuyan, inaalam pa ng task force kung may mga Pilipinong kabilang sa mga napabalitang 250 na kataong namatay at 1,590 na nasugatan sa mga naganap na mga pag-atake sa lugar.
Nabatid na nasa 2,000 ang bilang ng mga OFWs na naitalang naninirahan sa Gaza.
Hinggil naman sa mga Pilipino at Thai nationals na diumano’y nahuli ng Hamas group sa border, kinukumpirma pa ng embahada ang impormasyong ito.
“Sa gitna ng sigalot na ito, pinaaalalahanan natin ang ating mga kababayan sa Israel na manatiling alerto at tumutok sa mahahalagang balita,” sabi nito.
“Gayundin, napakahalaga na sila ay sumunod sa mga abiso at paalala ng mga awtoridad mula sa gobyerno ng Israel. Maliban dito, ay dapat nilang ugaliing sumunod sa mga standard operating procedure kapag tumutunog ang sirena ng pag-alarma sa publiko para masiguro ang kanilang kaligtasan,” panawagan pa ni Tulfo sa mga Pinoy na naiipit ngayon sa giyera.
Sinabi naman ni OFW party list Rep. m
Marissa Del Mar Magsino na dapat tiyakin ng Philippine Embassy at ng Migrant Workers Office (MWO) sa Israel na masusing namomonitor ang sitwasyon ng mga Filipino sa Israel.
“We pray for the safety and well-being of Filipinos, especially our Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs), in Israel during this critical time. The breach of the Gaza Strip blockade and the subsequent attacks, as well as Israel’s issuance of a “State of War alert” by the Home Front Command, are deeply troubling. We enjoin both the Philippine Embassy and our Migrant Workers Office (MWO) in Israel to not only closely monitor the situation of Filipinos in the affected areas, but also put in place mechanisms for emergency repatriation, which should be properly cascaded to our Filipino Community (FilCom) members,” pahayag pa ni Magsino.
“We also encourage our FilCom members to maintain constant communication with the Philippine Embassy and MWO, take precautionary measures, and adhere to the instructions provided by the Israeli Homefront Command,” aniya pa.
“The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) and the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) have established a 24/7 Task Force Israel Desk dedicated to assisting OFWs in Israel and their families. We strongly encourage you to seek support and information through the provided hotlines of the DMW and OWWA:
+63 2 1348
+63 9083268344
+63 9271478186
+63 920 5171059
“We want to reassure all OFWs and their families that we are here for you during this challenging time. Your safety and well-being are our highest priorities, and we will continue to work tirelessly to offer the necessary assistance to you and your families,” sabi pa ni Magsino.
OnlineBalita news 