Julia Christine Botin

PLDT gives 'free calls' to DMW-OWWA for Filipinos caught in Israel-Iran crisis

Article (news)

Arthur Fuentes

ABS-CBN News

MANILA — Filipinos affected by the ongoing conflict between Iran and Israel may call for free the Department of Migrant Workers–Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (DMW-OWWA) 1348 hotline via a PLDT service, the telco said on Thursday. Filipinos in these areas can use their Smart Virtual Numbers on the TinBo (Tindahan ni Bossing) platform, powered by PLDT Global to call the DMW-OWWA, the telco said.&quot;This initiative ensures that overseas Filipinos can access critical government assistance without incurring additional costs. Filipinos overseas can download the TinBo app via Google Play Store or Apple App Store or visit www.tinbo.ph, register to get a Smart Virtual Number, and use the service,&quot; PLDT said.The company also called on overseas Filipinos in conflict areas to remain vigilant, stay indoors, and keep in touch with Philippine authorities in their host countries. Around 30,000 Filipinos live and work in Israel, while another 1,200 are living in Iran, many of whom are married to locals. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has said that the government is not yet ordering a mandatory repatriation of Filipinos in Israel and Iran despite the escalating conflict between the two countries.The Department of Foreign Affairs however has said that it may raise Alert Level 3 over Israel and Iran in the coming days, which would mean a travel ban on these countries as well as voluntary repatriation.Israel said on Monday that at least 24 people have been killed in Jewish state, while Iran said Israeli strikes had killed at least 224 people, including military commanders, nuclear scientists and civilians.<div>- With a report from Agence France-Presse<iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/z2utUYzm_pM?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></div>

Filipinos in Iran and Israel can use their Smart Virtual Numbers on the TinBo platform, PLDT said.

Filipinos in Iran and Israel can use their Smart Virtual Numbers on the TinBo platform, PLDT said.