MANILA, June 18 -- Four agriculture officials, part of the Philippine delegation stranded in Israel, are now in Jordan, Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said on Wednesday.

Tiu Laurel made the statement as 17 government officials, including mayors, were reportedly stranded after Israel closed its airspace amid missile attacks from Iran.

"Kagabi lang sila nakarating sa Jordan. Araw-araw, kausap namin sila (Last night, they arrived in Jordan. Every day, we talk with them). We are on top of it," he said in an ambush interview on the sidelines of a market visit at the Paco public market in Manila.

He disclosed that initial plans involved land travel to either Egypt or Jordan.

From Jordan, the stranded officials will fly to Qa...