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Israel-Philippines relations

The scene where a ballistic missile fired from Iran hit Tel Aviv overnight, causing heavy damage, March 1, 2026. Inset: Mary Ann De Vera, 32, a Filipino national killed in the attack. (Nava Freiberg / Times of Israel; courtesy)
March 1, 2026, 7:58 pm
Woman killed Saturday in missile strike on Tel Aviv identified as Philippine national
Israeli embassy in Manilla says caregiver Mary Anne Velasquez de Vera, 32, was killed ‘while selflessly assisting her patient’; man, 102, dies after falling while rushing to shelter
By Lazar Berman and ToI Staff
Israeli security and rescue forces at the scene where a ballistic missile fired from Iran hit and caused damage in Rehovot, June 15, 2025. (Yossi Aloni/Flash90)
July 13, 2025, 6:02 pm
Philippine national dies of wounds from Iranian missile attack
29th victim of the war named by Philippine embassy as Leah Mosquera, 49, who was injured in June 15 strike in Rehovot
By ToI Staff
Illustrative: A carer helping an elderly Israeli to cross the street in Tel Aviv. (Kobi Gideon/Flash90)
February 22, 2023, 11:11 am
‘Modern slavery’: How foreign caregivers in Israel have been extorted for decades
ToI exposes a multi-million-dollar industry in which foreign workers are compelled to pay ‘placement fees’ to employment ‘brokers’ – with the government’s full knowledge
By Inna Lazareva
Foreign military officials seen at Israel's Defense, HLS and Cyber Exhibition (ISDEF), in Tel Aviv, on March 21, 2022. (Avshalom Sassoni/Flash90)
September 11, 2022, 5:33 am
Israel eases restrictions on defense exports but refuses to disclose its customers
Data shows a large jump in exports following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, yet information about the countries purchasing Israeli systems remains largely hidden
By Tal Schneider
In this September 15, 2021 file photo, provided by the Malacanang Presidential Photographers Division, Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte gestures as he meets members of the Inter-Agency Task Force on the Emerging Infectious Diseases at the Malacanang presidential palace in Manila, Philippines. (Karl Alonzo/Malacanang Presidential Photographers Division via AP, File)
October 2, 2021, 8:25 pm
Philippines’ Duterte says he’ll retire, citing views that ‘I’m not qualified’
President surprisingly drops plan for vice presidential run next year, amid talk that his politician daughter may make a bid for the top post
By AP and ToI Staff
Filipino Roman Catholic devotees jostle to get the rope that pulls the carriage of the Black Nazarene during a raucous procession to celebrate its feast day, Jan. 9, 2020, in Manila, Philippines (AP Photo/Aaron Favila)
January 9, 2020, 10:14 am
Filipino Catholics pray for Mideast peace in huge gathering
Philippines faces a massive crisis if hostilities between the US and Iran escalate and embroil other countries that host many Filipinos, such as Saudi Arabia and Israel
By Jim Gomez
Illustrative: A Filipino caregiver walks with an Israeli man sitting in a wheelchair on April 22, 2009. (Abir Sultan/Flash90)
January 6, 2020, 1:59 pm
Amid tensions, Philippines readies to evacuate citizens from Israel, Iraq, Iran
Other Asian nations with large populations of expatriate labor may face similar decisions amid the rapidly escalating tensions between US and Iran
By Agencies and ToI Staff
Philippine Airlines passenger planes are parked at the carrier's terminal at the Manila International Airport on April 12, 2012, in Pasay city, south of Manila, Philippines. (AP/Bullit Marquez)
January 2, 2019, 7:19 pm
Philippine Airlines seeking to use Saudi airspace for Israel-bound flights
Head of country’s flag carrier says airline could launch direct Manila-Tel Aviv flights if it gets overflight rights from Riyadh
By ToI Staff
Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte laying a wreath at the 'Open Doors' Monument in Rishon LeZion’s Holocaust Memorial Park, September 5, 2018 (Avi Ohayun/MFA)
September 6, 2018, 12:15 am
Ending Israel visit, Duterte commemorates his country saving 1,300 Jews in WWII
Controversial Philippines president lays wreath, meets Israeli survivor who lived in Manila and now has a Filipino caretaker
By Raphael Ahren
President of the Philippines Rodrigo Duterte meets with President Reuven Rivlin (unseen) at the president residence in Jerusalem on September 4, 2018. (Ohad Zwigenberg/Pool/Yedioth Ahronoth/Flash90)
September 5, 2018, 9:30 pm
Israel said to nix police agreement with Philippines over bloody drug war
Foreign Ministry says deal to expand cooperation between police forces, which was to have been signed during Duterte’s visit, not ready, may still be pursued
By ToI Staff and Agencies
President Reuven Rivlin (right) and President Rodrigo Duterte of the Philippines, Jerusalem, September 4, 2018 (Mark Neyman/GPO)
September 4, 2018, 12:41 pm
Duterte says he’ll buy only Israeli weapons… because there are no restrictions
Meeting President Rivlin, Philippines leader says US, Germany, and China impose limitations on arms sales; Rivlin tells him ‘Hitler was the devil himself’
By ToI Staff
President of the Philippines Rodrigo Duterte visits the Yad Vashem Holocaust memorial in Jerusalem on September 3, 2018. (Hadas Parush/Flash90)
September 3, 2018, 6:38 pm
At Yad Vashem, Philippines’ Duterte pledges to fight ‘insane rulers’ like Hitler
Visiting president, who once likened himself to Nazi leader in vow to kill millions in drug trade, calls for learning lessons of ‘horrific and benighted period of human history’
By Michael Bachner
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu gestures to the President of the Philippines Rodrigo Duterte during their meeting in Jerusalem September 3, 2018. (AFP PHOTO / POOL / RONEN ZVULUN)
September 3, 2018, 2:48 pm
Duterte, accused of mass killings, says Israel shares his passion for people
Hosting hardline president — who once likened himself to Hitler with promise to kill millions of drug dealers — Netanyahu hails Philippines’ role saving Jews during Holocaust
By Raphael Ahren
The president of the Philippines Rodrigo Roa Duterte (C) waves upon his arrival in Jerusalem at the start of an official visit to Israel, on September 2, 2018. (Menahem Kahana/AFP)
September 3, 2018, 2:07 am
Duterte in Israel says sorry for Obama ‘son of a whore’ jab, stands by rape joke
Controversial Philippine president starts three-day visit with speech to some 1,400 Filipino workers in Jerusalem
By ToI Staff and Agencies
Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte with Communications Minister Ayoub Kara at Ben Gurion Airport. September 2, 2018 (Avi Ohayon/Government Press Office)
September 2, 2018, 9:14 pm
Philippines strongman Duterte touches down in Israel for 3-day visit
Controversial president, who once compared himself to Hitler and has vowed to kill millions of drug users, will lay wreath at Holocaust monument; seeks Israeli arms deals
By ToI Staff and Agencies
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