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OFWs in Israel and Iran share stories of war

Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) in Israel have experienced flying missiles, explosions, and other forms of violence as Iran launched air strikes in the country. Sunday's episode of "Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho" shed light on the terror these OFWs have been facing since June 13. Eric, who has been working as a caregiver in Haifa, Israel for eight years, said he has not been able to leave his employer's house out of fear. "Ramdam namin talaga 'yung yumayanig. Parang earthquake. Sobrang tindi. Nakakatakot talaga. Talagang mapapadasal ka!" Eric said. ["We could really feel the shaking from the ground. It felt like an earthquake. It was so intense and terrifying that you couldn't help but start praying."] Eric shared that his employer has had diabetes for 20 years. "Makikita mo 'yung pamilya ng alaga mo, magkakasama sila. Pero ikaw, nandito, mag-isa. 'Yung pamilya mo nasa Pilipinas. Nakakadurog ng puso," he said. ["You'll see your employer's family together. It's heartbreaking knowing that you're here alone while your family is back in the Philippines."] Eric added that his employer's home has a built-in bomb shelter where they can hide in case of attacks or bombings. The Israel government also has a mobile app wherein they could tell countrymen about any impending danger such as incoming missiles. But despite these preparations, the situation remains a nightmare. "Nagkaroon na kami ng phobia. May kumalabog lang nang konti, gusto mo nang tumakbo kasi nakakatakot talaga. Hindi kagaya noon, paisa-isa lang, dala-dalawa o lima. Pero ngayon kasi talagang grabe 'yung nangyari talaga ngayon dito. Kasi 200 rockets, missiles, drones ang pinapadala ng Iran," Eric said. ["We already have a phobia. Even the slightest thud makes us want to run. It's that terrifying. It's not like before, when there were only one, two, or five. This time was overwhelming, because Iran sent 200 rockets, missiles, and drones."] Meanwhile, Filipina caregiver Sheril lives in the nursing home where she works. As she lives on the upper floor, she has to take an elevator to go to the facility's bomb shelter. Another challenge was that her charges suffer from Alzheimer's Disease, and she must continue assisting them. This is why she always remains on alert. Since the war started getting more violent, more OFWs wish to return to the Philippines as soon as possible. However, Sheril chose to stay in Israel because she treats the person under her care as a father figure. "Sinabi ko sa asawa ko na hangga't hindi pa in-implement po talaga 'yung mandatory po, dito pa po muna ako. Dahil ayaw ko po iwan 'yung alaga ko sa ganitong sitwasyon lalong-lalo na alam ko na kailangan na kailangan niya po ako," she said. ["I told my husband I'll stay here for now, as long as there's no mandatory evacuation. I don't want to leave my employer in a situation like this—I know they need me."] Renante, Sheril's husband who lives in Malasiqui, Pangasinan, said, "Talagang gusto ko siyang umuwi na ng Pinas. Para kahit mamuhay kami nang simple dito, okay lang at least ligtas siya dito." [""I really want her to come home to the Philippines. Even if our here is simple, at least she'll be safe."] He added, "'Yung kaba mo talagang kumakabog. Kasi po 'pag tumatawag 'yung asawa ko, tapos biglang mag-a-alarm ng siren po nila doon. Talagang mararamdaman mo 'yung takbuhan sila sa shelter." ["You can really feel the anxiety. Whenever my wife calls and the sirens suddenly go off, you can sense the panic as they all rush to the shelter."] The couple says that despite the challenges, they are grateful to still have open lines of communication. Sheril told Renante in a video call that she is doing okay as compared to the past days. When Israel pushed through with Operation Rising Lion in Iran, several establishments were forced to close, like the travel agency of OFW Naufar. Naufar said he went for days without communication lines. Naufar has lived for more than 20 years in Iran. This was where he got married and started a family. Because of all the air strikes, they were forced to leave their home in Tehran to move to a safer area in the northern part of Iran. Despite this, Naufar remains restless because unlike Israel, the government does not provide news of danger. The Philippine government has been working towards bringing Filipinos home from Iran and Israel. By June 22, America, a known ally of Israel, joined the war, launching a missile attack on three nuclear sites in Iran. On June 23, Iran fought back with an air strike to the United States forces in Qatar. Air traffic was suspended, affecting Filipinos who wish to fly back to the Philippines, including an OFW named Armando. Armando, who works in an Israel hotel, was on the way home to the Philippines on June 23. "June 23, flight kami papuntang Qatar. Tapos noong June 23 din, 6:30 p.m., biglang umatake sa Qatar 'yung Iran. So, nasa loob na kami ng plane, pinababa ulit kami," he said. "Parang sinusundan kami ng rockets. Hanggat hindi pa kami nakakauwi, nasa isip namin na hindi pa kami safe talaga." ["We had a flight to Qatar last June 23. Then, at 6:30 PM on that same day, Iran suddenly launched an attack. We were already inside the plane, but they made us disembark. It feels like rockets are following us. Until we're safely back home, we'll always feel like we're not truly safe."] The first batch of repatriates came back home last Tuesday, and one of these is Armando. "Nu'ng pagdating namin dito sa airport ng NAIA, lahat kami masaya," he said. ["We were all so happy when we finally arrived here at NAIA."] According to Department of Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Cacdac, "We have nearly 300 already, one requested for repatriation in Israel. And there will be succeeding batches. Of course, pinagdadasal natin na huminto na itong sigalot na ito. But kung magpapatuloy pa, meron at least 50 na, and perhaps, Admin PY can shed light also on this. On those who will be prepared for repatriation." ["Of course, we are praying for this conflict to end. But if it continues, we have at least 50 more individuals prepared for repatriation. Perhaps Admin PY can shed light on this."] Eric and Sheril remained in Israel, making the most of the 12-day ceasefire to try to live normally again. Meanwhile, Naufar called the government for help. "I considered myself na displaced na ako. I left my comfort zone from Tehran, my business, my home, para mailigtas ko ang sarili ko, ang aking pamilya," he said. ["I consider myself displaced already. I left my comfort zone in Tehran—my business, and my home—just to save myself and my family," ] "I doubt the sincerity of the government to help a person like me kung susuportahan nila 'ko," he added. "Wala silang sustainable long-term plan sa mga Pilipino nasa labas ng bansa. Kung meron man hindi ko po alam 'yan, i-correct n'yo ako, ipakita n'yo sa akin para 'yung mga may ibang katanungan, nasa puso lang nila, nasa isip, hindi nila maitanong magkaroon sila ng kasagutan." ["I doubt the government's sincerity in helping someone like me, even if they say they'd support us. It feels like there's no sustainable, long-term plan for Filipinos abroad. If there is, I'm not aware of it. Please correct me and show me, so that those who keep their questions quietly in their hearts and minds can finally get the answers they need."] "Palagi ang ating mga embassy ke sa Israel o Iran, nakikipagpulong sa mga Filipino community leaders para handa palagi sila." Department of Foreign Affairs Usec. Eduardo De Vega said. ["Our embassies, whether in Israel or Iran, are are in constant coordination with Filipino community leaders to ensure readiness at all times."] A representative from We Aim OFW, a non-government organization, said one-time financial assistance to repatriates is not enough. "Ano ang dapat hakbang ng gobyerno upang pagkatiwalaan sila ng mga manggagawa na hindi sila pababayaan?" ["What is the government's strategy to rebuild the trust of OFWs and assure them that they will not be left behind in times of crisis?"] "Ngayon nasa alert level 3 pa 'yung Iran. May mga nagsasabi bakit hindi binababa? Meaning, bakit voluntary repatriation pa? Wala nang putukan dahil may ceasefire na. Hintayin muna natin ang recommendation ng ambassador at kung matagal 'tong ceasefire at puwede ibaba natin 'yung alert level. Natitiyak, 'yung ating mga kababayan, na kung kailangan nila ng tulong, mabibigyan natin," he added. ["Iran is currently at alert level 3. Some are asking why it hasn't been lowered, especially now that there's a ceasefire. Why is the repatriation still voluntary? We're waiting for the recommendation of our ambassador. If the ceasefire holds, we can consider lowering the alert level. But for now, our kababayans can be assured that if they need help, they will get it."] "Mayroon silang natanggap na P150,000. It's a safety net at parang temporary buffer or cushion para sila ay matulungang makapagsimula sa kanilang pagbabalik sa Pilipinas," Atty. Felicitas Quilbay of Department of Migrant Workers said. ["Each of them received P150,000. It's a safety net, a temporary buffer or cushion to help them start over after returning to the Philippines."] As of June 28, a total of 32 Overseas Filipino Workers have been repatriated. This includes 26 individuals who returned from Israel on June 24, and 6 more who arrived from Iran on June 28. For assistance, OFWs and their families may contact the following: DMW-OWWA HELP DESK - 1348 FOR THOSE ABROAD, CALL - +632 1348 ISRAEL Philippine Embassy in Tel Aviv - +972 54-4661188 Migrant Workers Office - +972 50-7622590 Overseas Welfare Office - +972 50-7156937 LEBANON Philippine Embassy in Beirut - +961 70 858 086 Migrant Workers Office in Beirut - +961 79 110 729 JORDAN Philippine Embassy in Amman - +962 7 7907 7775 ; +962 7 7721 9000 Migrant Workers Office in Amman - +962 7 8149 1183 ; +962 7 8519 1891 —JCB, GMA Integrated News