Filipina caregiver Charlot David recounted rushing repeatedly to a bomb shelter in Rehovot, Israel, as missile alerts sounded, saying the latest escalation involving Iran has been more intense than past conflicts she has experienced since moving there in 2008.
The violence claimed the life of 32-year-old caregiver Mary Ann Velasquez De Vera, who was killed while escorting her elderly ward to safety, underscoring the risks faced by overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in the region.
The Philippine government said there are no immediate plans for mass repatriation, though around 80 to 100 OFWs each in Israel and the United Arab Emirates have sought assistance to return home, according to Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac.
Labor group Migrante International urged the government to begin evacuations before the conflict worsens.
Despite the dangers, some workers said they remain determined to stay, citing families in the Philippines who depend on their income.
Source: PhilNews24 | March 3, 2026
