THE Department of Foreign Affairs said that Filipinos in Israel and Japan should just stay calm and not panic as they raised the Critical Alert Level 3.
Foreign Affairs Assistant Secretary Robert Ferrer said they told them not to be swayed by misinformation on social media.
Ferrer also said that there had been panic and worry as both Israel and Iran’s continued war escalated, where they said “misinformation.”
“If you ask most of our Filipinos in Tel Aviv, they are calm, they don’t want to go home. They believe in the Israeli system to protect them, to take care of them,” Ferrer said.
In declaring Alert Level 3 in the two countries, it is part of the embassies’ and government’s preparations should things continue to go south.
Likewise, Ferrer read a message from Philippine Ambassador to Israel Aileen Mendiola, which stated that there is danger there but essential services are still available and offices were not shut.
“Walang patid ang internet, telepono, at ibang utilities. Panatag at mahinahon naman ang mga mamamayan ng Israel kabilang ang mga Pilipino, natutugunan din nang mabilis ang mga nasalanta at nanganagilangan ng tulong. Bukas ang mga mall, restaurant, at mga park,” he added.
Likewise, the same message also said that the Israeli Defense Forces adjusted their security guidelines to which there are loosened restrictions allowing “limited activities” from “essential only.”
The families of the 30,000 overseas Filipinos in Israel were reassured that they are okay and secure.
Meanwhile, Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Eduardo de Vega said that they did not make evacuation as mandatory but they may raise the Alert Level 4 in both countries since it is only used for war zones.
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