Manila, June 19 -- The 26 out of the 178 Filipinos who signified their intention to leave Israel are expected to return to the Philippines this week, Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Eduardo Jose de Vega said on Thursday.

In a Bagong Pilipinas Ngayon interview, de Vega said the initial 26 are those whose exit documents or passports are ready for departure.

The first group will cross the border to Jordan where they will take their flight out for the Philippines.

"Uuwi sila possibly this weekend. In fact, susunduin pa sila sa Jordan ng DMW (Department of Migrant Workers) Secretary (Hans Leo Cacdac) para kasama sila (They will return home possibly this weekend. In fact, they will be received by DMW Secretary in Jordan)," he said.

He assure...