Stranded Filipino delegation in Israel set to return home on Saturday —DA chief
The Filipino delegation stranded in Israel amid escalating tensions with Iran is expected to return home this Saturday, June 21, at 5 a.m., Agriculture Secretary Francisco "Kiko" Tiu Laurel Jr. confirmed.
"I'm happy to say na they will be arriving on Saturday 5 a.m.," Tiu Laurel said in an ambush interview on Wednesday.
"Medyo nakakatakot nga, nalaman ko. Pinakita nila 'yung mga picture na 'yung mga hotel nila binomba," he said.
(It is quite scary, I learned. They showed the picture of their hotels which were bombed.)
According to Tiu Laurel, the Department of Agriculture (DA) worked on several options to evacuate the group safely, including possible exit routes through Egypt.
"So we've tried to find ways to get them out either via Egypt or the option that they took is a land trip to Jordan and from Jordan fly out sila to Qatar and back to Manila," he explained.
The group only reached Jordan on Friday night, he said. "Pero kagabi lang sila nakarating sa Jordan kaya salamat (It was only last night when they reached Jordan, so we are thankful)."
When asked if the department had direct contact with the stranded delegation, Tiu Laurel replied: "Araw-araw kausap namin sila (We talk to them every day). We are on top of it."
He expressed hope for a safe journey home for the group, who had been in Israel for an official mission when conflict broke out.
"I just wish that the remaining part of the journey is safe at mahalikan nila ang lupa ng Pilipinas sa Sabado pagbalik nila (and they will get to kiss Philippine soil when they return on Saturday)."
The Philippine Embassy in Tel Aviv said there were 21 Filipino officials in Israel – 17 who attended an agricultural technology training that started on June 10 and was supposed to end on June 20, and four dairy industry specialists of the DA.
'About 17 mayors and local government representatives, then a few from the dairy industry. So altogether, we have 22 in Israel. I have to say that from what I see, they are feeling okay,' Israeli Ambassador to the Philippines Ilan Fluss said Tuesday. —KG, GMA Integrated News
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