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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Bayanihan spirit alive in Filipinos in Gaza

Bayanihan spirit alive in Filipinos in Gaza

Published Oct 19, 2023 06:31 am

The spirit of bayanihan (unity) prevailed among the dozens of Filipinos trapped in the besieged Gaza as they remain deprived of food, water and other basic supplies due to blockade on the Palestinian territory.

​"Bayanihan spirit is alive among our nationals" there, Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Undersecretary Eduardo Jose de Vega quoted the Philippine Embassy in Jordan as saying, as Filipinos seeking repatriation still await the border opening of Egypt with Gaza.

​The lack of food​, fuel​, electricity and water ​supplies to Gaza "is a daily occurrence faced b​y" Filipinos in the Palestinian territory, according to Vega.

It only worsened when the Israeli government sealed off all its borders, blocking all the humanitarian supplies coming in amid Israel's war with Hamas, the de-facto government of Gaza.

​"So it's not a new development​. It is a reality that they have faced and they have overcome​, especially at this time when they have been under attack​," de Vega said in a press conference.

​Some Filipinos who have a house in southern Gaza, which is near Egypt, offered shelter for their fellow who fled the northern part.

Filipinos there are also sharing food and other supplies, de Vega said.

"One way that they have endured this suffering and deprivation, because they're helping each other to survive this ordeal," de Vega quoted Philippine Ambassador to Jordan Wilfredo Santos as saying.

Embassy officials are now by the border preparing to assist Filipino nationals once border reopens.

"Because of that, they are, in any moment, ready to face this challenge," he added.
 

Related Tags

Gaza Israel-Hamas war
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