By Joyce Ann L. Rocamora
MANILA – Filipinos in Jordan are advised to stay in secure places amid reports of Iranian missile debris falling in several areas in the country, including the capital Amman.
The advisory dated October 2 urged Filipinos to keep a close watch on the situation and abide by local regulations.
Philippine Ambassador to Jordan Wilfredo Santos said two were injured from the falling missile debris but none of them are Filipinos.
Aside from Amman, local reports said pieces of debris and shrapnel also fell in Balqa, Zarqa, Madaba, and Kerak.
Amid the escalating tensions in the region, Santos said Filipinos “generally feel safe” in Jordan as the situation in the country remains peaceful.
“Short of an actual outbreak of hostilities involving Jordan and neighboring countries, which is very remote, Filipinos want to remain and work in the Hashemite Kingdom,” he told the Philippine News Agency.
“Jordan also has a good air defense system to protect their airspace,” he added.
Meanwhile, he assured that the Philippine Embassy is closely monitoring the situation and is in touch with the Filipino community, including those in the West Bank.
There are about 48,000 Filipinos in Jordan and around 127 Filipinos in the West Bank, none of whom have requested to be repatriated so far.
The envoy explained that those currently leaving Jordan and the West Bank have concluded their employment contracts.
Iran has fired more than 100 missiles into Israel on Tuesday as a retaliation for the latter’s strikes against the Iran-backed Hezbollah in Lebanon.
In the West Bank, one Palestinian was reportedly killed while two Israelis were injured by falling shrapnel and debris.
Shortly after, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Tehran “made a big mistake” and that “it will pay for it”. (PNA)