Jonathan Frederic De Santos

This long exposure shows trails from projectile interceptions by Israel's Iron Dome missile defence system over Tel Aviv on February 28, 2026. The United States and Israel launched strikes against Iran on February 28, with Israel's public broadcaster reporting that the Iranian supreme leader had been targeted, as the Islamic republic retaliated with barrages of missiles at Gulf states and Israel. Jack Guez, Agence France-Presse

Article (news)

Katrina Domingo

ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px;display:block" width="960"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/17739950598481773995057080.jpeg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">This long exposure shows trails from projectile interceptions by Israel&#x27;s Iron Dome missile defense system over Tel Aviv on February 28, 2026. The United States and Israel launched strikes against Iran on February 28, with Israel&#x27;s public broadcaster reporting that the Iranian supreme leader had been targeted, as the Islamic republic retaliated with barrages of missiles at Gulf states and Israel. Jack Guez, Agence France-Presse </span></span></span></div><p>MANILA<strong> (UPDATED)</strong> — Only a very small number in Filipinos in Israel have requested to be repatriated despite the ongoing exchange of air strikes in the Middle East, Philippine Ambassador Aileen Mendiola said Friday.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/business/2026/3/20/middle-east-war-global-economic-fallout-1336">Middle East war: global economic fallout</a></div><p>Of the 26,675 documented and undocumented Filipinos in Israel, only 0.3 percent or some 80 individuals have signed up for repatriation flights, Mendiola told state television PTV.</p><p>“Sa figures namin, ang gustong magpa-repatriate lang ay 81. ‘Yan ang naka-lineup namin as of last night,” she said.</p><p>She said many are hesitant to leave because they have good jobs and have shelters to protect them from airstrikes from Iran, which the US and Israel began attacking on February 28.</p><p>“Karamihan kaya hindi nagmamadali na magpa-repatriate, kasi they feel safe dito.&quot;</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/business/2026/3/20/marcos-assures-enough-food-supply-despite-middle-east-conflict-1335">Marcos assures enough food supply despite Middle East conflict</a></div><p>As of March 19, a total of 106 Filipinos have been repatriated from Israel, Mendiola said.</p><p>Some had to cross the land border to Egypt, while others returned to Manila via a flight from Jordan, the diplomat said.</p><p>The Philippine Embassy in Israel has been extending support for Filipinos who chose to remain in Israel, she said, underscoring that they have been sending regular updates to the Filipino community there through social media and chat groups.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/business/2026/3/19/oil-soars-10-percent-after-qatar-energy-sites-hit-in-mideast-war-1846">Oil soars 10 percent after Qatar energy sites hit in Mideast war</a></div><p>“Aware kami na maraming fake news ang umiikot, may mga AI-generated images ng Israel na parang decimated lalo na ang Tel-Aviv,” Mendiola said.</p><p>“Bago ho ninyo paniwalaan iyon, paniwalaan niyo ho muna yung sinasabi ng kapamilya ninyo,” she said.</p><p>“Be very discerning po. Maraming fake news na umiikot.”</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/world/2026/3/20/800-filipinos-still-seeking-repatriation-4th-ph-chartered-flight-to-leave-sunday-1245">800 Filipinos still seeking repatriation; 4th PH chartered flight to leave Sunday</a></div><p>Unrest in the region erupted anew in late February after the US and Israel launched began bombing Iran in the middle of negotiations on its nuclear program.</p><p>Despite Iranian drone strikes in several Middle Eastern countries, including Israel, only one Filipino remains missing after a missile struck his sea vessel in the Strait of Hormuz.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>RELATED VIDEOS</strong></div><div><strong><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/g9g8Mv74VlU?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/MQZfH1EL13M?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span></strong><br/></div>

<p>Philippine Ambassador to Israel Aileen Mendiola said many are hesitant to leave because they have good jobs there and have shelters to protect them from airstrikes from Iran, which the US and Israel began attacking on February 28.<br>
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Philippine Ambassador to Israel Aileen Mendiola said many are hesitant to leave because they have good jobs there and have shelters to protect them from airstrikes from Iran, which the US and Israel began attacking on February 28.

Of more than 26,000 Filipinos in Israel, only 81 seek repatriation — envoy

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Of more than 26,000 Filipinos in Israel, only 81 seek repatriation — envoy

Katrina Domingo,

ABS-CBN News

Published Mar 20, 2026 04:30 PM PHT

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Updated Mar 20, 2026 07:48 PM PHT

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Repatriation

Overseas Filipino Workers

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