The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) raised crisis alert level 3 in Israel and Iran, urging Filipinos in the area to avail of voluntary repatriation after both countries continue to traded missile strikes for a week.

In a statement, DFA said Filipinos there should consider getting themselves and their dependents repatriated to avoid getting caught in the middle of ongoing clashes.

Crisis level 3 or voluntary repatriation phase is imposed by the Philippine government on countries with deteriorating security conditions.

Security alert advisories, the DFA said, “will be subject to periodic review, taking into consideration the situation on the ground.”

At least 30,000 workers, mostly caregivers, are in Israel, and more than 1,000 are in Iran.

Those who wish to leave were advised by the DFA to contact the embassy to coordinate their repatriation.

“All overseas Filipinos in Israel and Iran are enjoined to return to the Philippines,” the DFA said. “Travel by Filipinos to both these countries is highly discouraged due to the ongoing crisis and the actual closure of their airspace and seaports.”