President Ferdinand ‘Ferdinand’ Marcos Jr. has ordered government agencies to guarantee the safety and welfare of Filipinos, who are working and residing in war-torn Israel, the Presidential Communications Office (PCO) said on Sunday.

“President Marcos has ordered agencies to closely coordinate with the Philippine Embassy in Tel Aviv and the Migrant Workers Office (MWO) in Israel to secure the Filipinos affected by the ongoing conflict,” PCO said in a statement.

It also said that the President handed a directive to the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) and the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) “to locate and account for all overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) and their families in Israel.”

According to PCO, the DMW has opened hotline numbers as well as Viber and WhatsApp numbers for the calls and queries of “OFWs and the Filipino community who are in need of government assistance.”

Interviewed during DZRH’s Huntahan, OWWA Administrator Arnell Ignacio assured that the Filipinos in Israel are currently safe.

He declared that his office is prepared for any requested assistance.

“Based on valid crises in the past and of course we will be ready for any form of assistance that may be needed. For the moment, ang ating hotlines para sa mga kamag-anakan ay bukas,” Ignacio said.

On Saturday, the Israel government declared a “state of war” due to the surprised attack of Palestinian militant group Hamas.

The Philippine Embassy in Israel then urged Filipinos living in affected Israeli towns to follow safety guidelines released by Israel Home Front Command. Among the towns it mentioned was Gaza Envelope, Western Negev, Central Negev, Western Lachish, Lachish Area, Shfelat Yehuda Area, HaShfela Area, Yarkon Area, Dan Area, Sharon Area, and Jerusalem.

The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW), Embassy of the Philippines in Tel Aviv and Migrant Workers Office-Israel have assured that they are closely watching over the OFW’s welfare.

As of Sunday, Reuters reported that the armed conflict has so far killed more than 500 Israelis and Palestinians.