Report Six Filipinos Safely Evacuate From Israel to Jordan Amid Tensions

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Picture courtesy of PhilStar

 

Amid escalating tensions in the Middle East, six Filipinos, including one overseas Filipino worker (OFW), have successfully crossed from Israel into Jordan. This marks the first group to take the land route out of Israel amidst ongoing military conflicts.

 

The Philippine Embassy in Jordan reported that the evacuation occurred on Wednesday, June 18. Among the evacuees were engineer Edsel Sarquilla, an OFW, and four tourists who had been stranded.

 

Upon crossing the King Hussein border, located about an hour from Amman, the group was met by Philippine Ambassador Wilfredo Santos and other embassy officials. They were swiftly processed through immigration to obtain their transit visas.

 

This evacuation was a coordinated effort between the Philippine embassies in Amman and Tel Aviv. Ambassador Santos noted the current logistical challenges, stating, "They're just waiting for their return flights. Although Jordan's airspace is open, not all airlines have resumed services," in his interview with Radyo Pilipinas on June 20.

 

Earlier, the embassy in Jordan also facilitated the safe arrival of 21 Philippine government officials who were caught in Israel during a missile exchange with Iran.

Anticipating further evacuations, the embassy is preparing to receive more Filipino nationals. So far, 26 Filipinos who have requested repatriation are expected to follow the same route.

 

The Philippine Embassy in Amman has been proactive in preparing for these operations, including conducting inspections at the border to ensure smooth transfers for the next groups of OFWs.

 

Background: Israel's airspace has been closed since June 13 due to renewed hostilities. The conflict erupted following Israel's strikes on Iranian sites, which led to retaliatory attacks by Iran. This exchange of hostilities has resulted in civilian casualties on both sides.

 

Jordan, situated between Israel and Iraq, reopened its airspace after a brief closure following the initial conflict outbreak.

 

For Filipinos in Israel seeking repatriation, the Philippine Embassy has advised contacting the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration via email at [email protected], providing necessary identification and contact details.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from PhilStar 2025-06-20