Latest news with #EduardodeVega
GMA Network
09-07-2025
- GMA Network
2 Pinoy sailors likely killed, 5 of 21 rescued after attack by Houthi rebels
Two Filipino seafarers were "most likely" killed following an attack by Houthi rebels on a cargo vessel off the Red Sea while five of the 21 Filipino sailors of the sunken ship have been rescued, a senior Department of Foreign Affairs official said. "Ship has sunk and rescue operations ongoing. At least 5 of 21 Filipino seafarers, including ship captain have been rescued. There are reports of at least 2 casualties," DFA Undersecretary Eduardo de Vega told reporters. Asked if the two reported fatalities in the attack were Filipinos, De Vega said: "Most likely because of 22 crewmen, only 1 is not Filipino." The ship, named Eternity C, was carrying grains to Somalia for the World Food Program and was attacked by thr Iran-backed militants after completing the delivery of aid. It sustained engine damage after it was hit during the assault, reports said. Random attacks, piracy and ransom kidnappings of Filipino sailors by pirates, particularly in waters off Africa, have long been a problem for the Philippine government as they lack the capacity to monitor their movements when at sea. The Philippines is one of the world's largest providers of shipping manpower in the world. A bulk of Filipino seamen or more than 20 percent of the world's 1.2 million sailors are manning oil tankers, luxury liners, and passenger vessels worldwide, exposing them to attacks. —LDF, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
26-06-2025
- Politics
- GMA Network
Most Filipinos in Israel declining repatriation offers
Despite ongoing conflict in Israel, only a small number of Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) are opting for government-assisted repatriation, according to the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA). DFA Undersecretary Eduardo de Vega said that while nearly 300 Filipinos in Israel initially signed up for repatriation, only 50 confirmed their intent to return. Of that number, just 20 will actually be flying home this week. "Ang nag-signup sa Israel mga almost 300. Sa 300 na iyon, mga 50 lang ang gustong umuwi. Ngayon sa 50 na iyon, 20 ang uuwi na," De Vega said in an interview in Unang Balita on Thursday. (Around 300 signed up in Israel. Of those, only about 50 really want to come home. And now, just 20 are set to return.) The latest batch will be flying out directly from Israel, a change from earlier plans to route them through Amman, Jordan. Separately, 102 Filipinos from Iran are expected to arrive in the Philippines by Friday after transiting through Turkmenistan. "May mga 20 na i-uuwi pero sa airport mismo ng Israel at hindi na idadaan sa Amman... Mayroon ding uuwi, mga 102 galing Iran, probably bukas," he said. (About 20 will return directly from Israel instead of passing through Amman... Another group of 102 from Iran will likely return tomorrow.) According to De Vega, the repatriation expenses are being shouldered by the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) and coordinated with the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA). When asked why more Filipinos are choosing to stay, De Vega explained that most OFWs have adapted to the situation and feel relatively secure, especially after a temporary ceasefire was declared in parts of the region. "Kahit anong bagong ceasefire, karamihan gustong maiwan... 'Yung mga bago lang doon ang nababahala," he said. (Even with a new ceasefire, most want to stay... It's mostly the newer arrivals who are worried.) In Iran, most OFWs have family ties, further reducing the desire to return. "Sa Iran naman, dahil may Iranian family sila, wala silang balak umuwi," he added. (In Iran, because they have Iranian families, they have no plans to return.) One Filipina in Israel remains in critical condition from a previous airstrike, but De Vega said no other recent injuries have been reported among OFWs. Despite damages to homes, affected Filipinos have since been relocated by Israeli authorities, and none are currently staying in bomb shelters or living on the streets. "Merong nawalan ng bahay, lagpas 100, na-resettle sila ng Israel... Wala naman tayong Pilipino na natutulog sa kalsada, mga okay naman sila," he assured. (More than 100 lost their homes, but they were resettled by Israel... None of our nationals are sleeping on the streets. They're okay.) In Iran, meanwhile, many OFWs who had earlier evacuated from Tehran to the provinces are now returning to the capital, according to the Philippine ambassador there. Although the Philippine Air Force has expressed readiness to assist in repatriation efforts, De Vega said commercial flights remain the preferred option due to the limited capacity of military transport. He also emphasized that despite the ceasefire, tensions remain high in both Israel and Iran, and Alert Level 3 will remain in place for now. "Inaasahan pa rin natin kaya nasa alert level 3 pa rin ang Israel at Iran. Hindi natin basta-basta maibababa iyan," De Vega said. (We still anticipate potential unrest, which is why Israel and Iran remain under Alert Level 3. We can't lower it just yet.) The DFA continues to monitor the situation and said it stands ready to assist more Filipinos should the need arise. —Sherylin Untalan/ VAL, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
22-06-2025
- Politics
- GMA Network
DFA: 27 Pinoys from Israel, 8 from Iran to arrive this week
DFA Undersecretary Eduardo de Vega says the 26 OFWs and one Filipino tourist who came from Israel will board a flight to Manila from Amman, Jordan. File photo Twenty-seven Filipinos from Israel and eight from Iran are expected to return to the Philippines this week, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said Sunday. DFA Undersecretary Eduardo de Vega said the Filipinos from Israel are composed of 26 overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) and one tourist. 'That's today that they're in Amman, so they could possibly arrive tomorrow because their flight is leaving Amman. So, possibly tomorrow afternoon nandiyan na sila (they're here), at the latest for sure Tuesday,' De Vega said at the Kapihan sa QC. Meanwhile, eight Filipinos from Iran — six OFWs and two tourists — are set to return to the Philippines on Thursday. Earlier today, DFA Assistant Secretary Robert Ferrer said nine Filipinos in Iran have requested repatriation, and over 200 Filipinos in Israel wanted to return to the Philippines. On Friday, the Philippine government raised the crisis alert to level 3 in Israel and Iran, urging Filipinos in the affected areas to take advantage of the voluntary repatriation as armed hostilities between the two countries continue. Eight Filipinos were injured amid the ongoing tensions between Israel and Iran, the Philippine Embassy in Tel Aviv said. At least 88 Filipinos have lost their homes due to missile impact, it added. —KG, GMA Integrated News
The Star
19-06-2025
- Politics
- The Star
21 Philippine officials stuck in Israel to return to Manila by weekend
MANILA: The 21 Filipino government officials stranded in Israel are set to travel back home to the Philippines this weekend, said the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA). The 21 officials were stranded after Israel closed its airspace and airports due to Iran's retaliatory air raids. 'They will be flying home this weekend [through] Jordan,' DFA Usec. Eduardo de Vega (pic) told According to De Vega the officials will be travelling to Jordan within the week, before heading back to the Philippines during the weekend. De Vega said there are nine mayors, four vice mayors, two party-list representatives, and two regional directors stuck in Israel. Additionally, four officials from the Department of Agriculture were also with them. The DFA, however, refused to identify the 21 officials out of respect for their privacy. Meanwhile, in a separate chance interview, Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr said the 21 officials have already arrived in Jordan on Tuesday night (Manila time). '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,' said Laurel. 'And from Jordan, they will be flown back to Qatar and back to Manila. Pero, but they just arrived in Jordan last night,' he added. - Philippine Daily Inquirer/ANN
GMA Network
18-06-2025
- Politics
- GMA Network
PH gov't considering raising alert levels in Israel, Iran amid conflict
A drone photo shows the damage over residential homes at the impact site following missile attack from Iran on Israel, in Tel Aviv, Israel June 16, 2025. REUTERS/ Moshe Mizrahi The Philippine government is considering raising is alert levels on Israel and Iran as attacks between the two countries continue. 'We are considering the same, but in fact, we are already acting as if both countries were on Alert Level 3 or voluntary repatriation,' Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Eduardo de Vega told GMA News Online. He added that the Philippine government is looking into the situation of the affected areas and the safety of Filipinos before raising the alert levels. Israel is currently at Alert Level 2 or restriction, which is issued if there are real threats to the life, security, and property of Filipinos arising from internal disturbance, instability, or external threat. Meanwhile, Iran is under Alert Level 1 or precautionary, which is issued when there are valid signs of internal disturbance, instability, and/or external threat to the host country. Israel launched the air war on Iran last Friday, calling it a "preemptive strike" to stop the Islamic republic from developing a nuclear weapon. Iran, which maintains that its nuclear program is purely for civilian purposes, is a signatory to the Non-Profileration Treaty, while Israel is not. The DFA earlier said 26 Filipinos may be repatriated from Israel this weekend via border crossing into Jordan since flight operations are currently suspended. They are among the 150 Filipinos who have expressed willingness to leave Israel. Meanwhile, the DFA is arranging the repatriation of 17 Filipinos who want to leave Iran. The Philippine Embassy in Tehran is also working on sending its non-essential diplomatic staff back to the Philippines. — BM, GMA Integrated News
