DEPARTMENT OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS 
P R E S S  R E L E A S E
www.dfa.gov.ph                                                                                           2330 Roxas Blvd., Pasay City, Philippines                                                                                 Tel. No. 834-4000 
SFA-AGR-298-06                                                                                                                                                                                                                             18 April 2006

FILIPINOS IN TEL AVIV ARE SAFE FROM RECENT BOMBING

18 April 2006 – Philippine Ambassador to Israel Antonio C. Modena reported to the Department of Foreign Affairs that “there are no Filipinos involved” in the bombing that rocked Tel Aviv’s Neve Sha’anan neighborhood at around 1:30 p.m., Monday, 17 April 2006.

Ambassador Modena said he has sent Mr. Rodrigo Gavino, Assistance to National Officer; and Francisco Cruz, Welfare Officer, both of the Philippine Embassy, to inspect the various hospitals in Tel Aviv, Holon and nearby Kfar Saba to verify whether there are any Filipino casualty.

“As of 17 April 2006, there are no Filipinos involved in the bombing.   However, the Embassy officers will continue to monitor the developments in the hospital,” the Ambassador informed the Department.

The Ambassador further reported that at least seven people were killed by the blast not including the suicide bomber, and at least 60 persons were wounded, 15 of them seriously.   The bombing was carried out at the Falafel restaurant.   Interim Prime Minister Ehud Olmert said the authorities are now investigating how the bombing occurred and who was responsible for this act. END
 

/jay