Latest news with #DeVega
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
09-07-2025
- Climate
- GMA Network
No Filipinos hurt in deadly Texas floods — DFA
A drone view shows a house swept down the road following torrential rains that unleashed flash floods along the Concho River in San Angelo, Texas, US, July 4, 2025, in this screen grab obtained from a social media video. Patrick Keely/via REUTERS The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) reported Wednesday that no Filipinos have been reported killed or affected by the massive floods that ravaged Texas in the United States and left over 100 people dead. In a Super Radyo dzBB interview, Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Eduardo de Vega said the Filipino community in Texas remains safe, citing updates from the Philippine Consulate in Houston. "So far walang casualty [na Pilipino]. Walang apektadong Pilipino (So far, there are no Filipino casualties. No Filipinos have been affected)," he said. The death toll from the July Fourth flood that devastated Texas Hill County has swelled to at least 109, many of them children, as search teams pressed on through mounds of mud-encrusted debris for scores of people still missing. The bodies of 94 flood victims, more than a third of them children, have been recovered in Kerr County alone as of Tuesday (Texas time), Texas Governor Greg Abbott said at a late-afternoon news conference after touring the area by air. He said 161 other people were known to be missing in the flood zone. De Vega said the DFA continues to monitor the situation closely. "Ang daming namatay na mga Texan pero sagot sa tanong ninyo, may bilang zero so far," he said. (Many Texans have died, but to answer your question—the number of Filipino casualties so far is still zero.) He said most Filipinos reside in areas far from the epicenter of the flooding, including Kerrville—a small town nearly 900 miles from Houston, one of the areas hardest hit by the storm. De Vega added that Consul General Gunther Emil Salas, who heads the consulate in Houston, has confirmed that there are approximately 240,000 Filipinos living in Texas. The consulate has already issued advisories to the Filipino community to stay alert and take necessary precautions, De Vega said. He added that the DFA will continue to coordinate with local authorities and the consulate to ensure the safety of overseas Filipinos amid the developing situation. — VDV, GMA Integrated News
Korea Herald
08-07-2025
- Politics
- Korea Herald
People, core of Philippines-Korea ties, says outgoing envoy
Philippine Ambassador to Korea Maria Theresa B. Dizon-De Vega cited people-to-people exchanges as core in bilateral ties with Korea in Seoul on June 23. She was speaking at the commemoration of her country's 127th Independence Day. Once a Spanish colony from 1571 to 1898, the Philippines has long historical and emotional bonds with Korea forged in the trenches of war, but thrived with culture, trade and technological exchanges. 'The Philippines and Korea have stood side by side as allies in times of adversity and as partners in progress,' De Vega said. The South East Asian country contributed 7,420 service members to the defense of South Korea in the 1950-53 Korean War, making it the fifth-largest troop contributor and the 11th nation to offer forces to support the South, according to the United Nations Command. The Philippines suffered 448 casualties, including 92 members killed in action and 356 wounded in action. 'The sound of river water and the sound of fallen leaves in the mountains. … Isn't it wonderful to see heaven and earth everywhere?' She remembered her tenure in Korea, quoting the Korean song "Beautiful Country." The song gently mentions Korea's four seasons, natural beauty and joyful spirit of Koreans, frequently played at national events in the country, voicing unification. The lyrics, De Vega said, will always remind her of the soul of Korea after she finishes her term in July. She recalled one of the most meaningful projects of her term: the 2024 launch of the commemorative book, "Dayo, Stories of Migration." The Filipino word "dayo" refers to a foreigner or someone who is visiting or has come from another place. She encouraged the more than 65,000 Filipinos living in Korea to continue being a source of pride for their homeland. 'To the Filipinos in Korea, may you continue to manifest the professionalism, dedication and warmth Filipinos are known for the world over,' she said. 'We are preparing to open a Philippine Consulate General in Busan in the coming months,' said the ambassador, underscoring recent agreements, naval collaboration, and youth engagement through sports and diplomacy. The Philippines-Korea FTA boosts trade, investment and innovation in key sectors, and a recent memorandum of understanding signed at the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation meeting deepens ties, according to the embassy. Meanwhile, the ambassador called 2025 and 2026 pivotal, stressing that Philippines-Korea ties as crucial for inclusive, resilient growth because Korea is to host APEC and the Philippines is to chair ASEAN. The event served Tanduay Rhum, from one of the Philippines' oldest distilleries, now the world's top-selling rum for three consecutive years and the 7th largest spirits brand globally. sanjaykumar@
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
