In a significant development, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has announced that the Israeli government has provided assurances that Filipinos currently in Gaza will be allowed to return home by Saturday, at the latest. This development follows the ongoing conflict in the region, and it is seen as a step towards facilitating the safe return of Filipinos trapped in the volatile Gaza Strip.
During a press briefing, President Marcos stated, “May pangako sila sa atin na ma-ipapalabas na ang mga Pilipino. That is what they promised us – Saturday at the latest.” This commitment from the Israeli government comes as a relief to the affected Filipinos and their families.
President Marcos further highlighted that the Philippine Embassy in Cairo, Egypt, is fully prepared to assist in transporting the Filipinos trapped in Gaza through the Rafah border crossing. “Nandon lang sila, matagal lang silang nag aantay doon sa tawiran sa Rafah crossing and they’re ready for when the time comes na tumawid na ang mga Pinoy,” he mentioned.
However, despite the assurance from the Israeli government, there are still challenges to be addressed. According to Philippine Ambassador to Jordan, Wilfredo Santos, Filipinos have not yet been included in the list of individuals permitted to leave Gaza for Egypt. He stated, “We are not yet on the list of foreigners and dual nationals who are given permission to exit Gaza to Egypt.” Santos expressed hope that Filipino nationals will soon receive the necessary clearance to leave Gaza.
Santos further explained that the list of individuals allowed to leave Gaza is updated daily, and it currently only covers the third day since Egypt began accepting foreigners and dual nationals leaving the Palestinian enclave. “There are 7,000 of such nationals, and Egypt processes only between 500 to 600 a day, so it may take 2 weeks to complete the process,” Santos added. This highlights the scale of the logistical operation required to facilitate the safe passage of individuals from Gaza to Egypt.
The Philippines’ embassy in Amman has jurisdiction over Filipinos in Gaza, and they continue to coordinate efforts to ensure the safe repatriation of their citizens. As of now, there are a total of 115 Filipinos who are eagerly awaiting the green light to cross the border, as confirmed by Department of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Teresita Daza.
However, President Marcos acknowledged that some Filipinos, particularly women married to Palestinians, are hesitant to leave their families behind. This dilemma underscores the complex and emotional decisions that some individuals are faced with during such challenging times.
In total, there are 136 Filipinos accounted for in Gaza, and according to Daza, 19 of them remain undecided about their repatriation. This includes a Filipino nun who finds herself in a difficult situation, torn between her calling and the need for personal safety.
In the midst of the ongoing conflict between Israel and the Palestinian militant group Hamas, the Filipino government has been actively engaged in repatriating its citizens from the region. So far, 123 Filipinos from Israel have been successfully repatriated to ensure their safety and well-being during this challenging period.
As the situation in Gaza continues to evolve, the commitment from the Israeli government to allow Filipinos to return home offers hope to those affected. However, the challenges associated with the logistical process of repatriation, as well as the personal decisions faced by some Filipinos, highlight the complexity of the situation and the need for ongoing support and coordination to ensure the safety and well-being of all those involved.
Carlo Juancho FuntanillaFrontend Developer, WordPress, Shopify
Contributing Editor
AMA ACLC San Pablo
