21 Filipino Officials Stranded in Israel Amid Iran
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JUNE 21,2025
MANILA, Philippines — After days of tension in the Middle East, 21 Filipino government officials stranded in Israel are now safely back in the Philippines.
The group—17 local government officials and four dairy specialists from the Department of Agriculture—arrived at NAIA Terminal 3 on Saturday. DILG Secretary Jonvic Remulla welcomed them home and shared the government’s relief.
“We’re just happy they’re back home. We monitored their situation 24/7,” said Remulla in a mix of Filipino and English.
Training Disrupted by Rising Conflict
The delegation traveled to Israel on June 10 for a 10-day agricultural technology training sponsored by the Israeli government. The tour aimed to expose Filipino officials to modern farming systems used in the region.
But on June 13, Israel launched preemptive strikes on Iran’s military and nuclear sites. This sparked tensions and disrupted the program.
21 Filipino Emergency Exit Through Jordan
As the conflict escalated, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) raised Alert Level 3 for both Israel and Iran. Filipino citizens were urged to leave immediately.
Six of the delegates traveled by bus from Kibbutz Kalya to Amman, Jordan, then took a commercial flight to Dubai, and finally returned to Manila. The rest followed through the same route.
“They traveled by bus to Jordan, then took connecting flights to reach Manila,” Remulla explained.
21 Filipino Gratitude and Relief
The group included two DILG regional directors, 15 local officials, and four Agriculture Department employees. All of them joined the tour under an official invitation from the Israeli government.
Though tired, the returning officials expressed gratitude for the swift action of the DFA and the support they received from the Philippine Embassy in Jordan.
Delegates Express Gratitude
The returning officials, though tired, said they were grateful for the quick response of the DFA and the Philippine Embassy. Many praised the coordination between local and foreign agencies that ensured their safe return.
The delegation included two regional directors, 15 local officials, and four Department of Agriculture personnel, all part of a government-initiated knowledge exchange to support sustainable farming in the Philippines. NOWTREND
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