DFA exec explains delays in opening of Gaza-Egypt border
By Raymund Antonio and Raymund Antonio
Filipinos in Gaza would have to wait for a while as the Gaza-Egypt border has yet to open amid the violence that erupted there between Hamas and Israel, an official of the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said on Saturday, Oct. 21.
Smoke billows from the Gaza's Rafah border crossing Egypt during an Israeli airstrike on October 10, 2023. (Photo by SAID KHATIB / AFP)
Of the 135 Filipinos in Gaza, 78 of them decided to leave the war-torn state and return to the Philippines, but Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Eduardo De Vega said that they are still awaiting for the border to be opened.
“Akala natin last week pa tatawid na eh. Kaya nananawagan tayo sa Egypt at sa Israel na kung ano man ang issues pa, ayusin na para makatawid na ‘yung mga dayuhan (We thought we could cross it last week. That’s why we’re calling on Egypt and Israel that whatever issues they still have, fix it so the foreigners can already go across),” the official said on Teleradyo Serbisyo.
“Naghihintay lang kung kailan lang, kailan bubukas ang crossing para makapasok na sila ng Egypt at ma-repatriate (We are just waiting when, when the crossing will open so they can enter Egypt and be repatriated),” she added.
De Vega shared that Egyptian Ambassador to the Philippines Ahmed Shehabeldin already advised his government to prioritize and expedite the process of accepting Filipinos to Egypt.
However, he also said that Egypt will only do this if they are guaranteed by the respective embassies that those who will cross the border will go back to their countries.
“Kasi ayaw ng Egypt na tumanggap naman bigla na lang ng refugees (Because Egypt doesn’t want to suddenly accept refugees),” he added.
The official explained the process of bringing the Filipinos home from Cairo.
“Hindi 'yan sasakay agad sa eroplano. Pagdating niyan, ang practice niyan, bibigyan muna ng shelter (They can’t ride the airplane immediately. When they arrive, the practice is they will be given shelter first). One, two, or three days. Minsan isang linggo pa nga. Bayad natin 'yan habang hinihintay 'yung ticket (Sometimes, it will take one week. We will pay for that while they are waiting for the ticket),” the official detailed.
While the Filipinos will be flown to the Philippines “in batches,” another issue that the DFA official raised is how to acclimatize them to living in the Philippines anew.
He even believed that most of the Filipinos would be back to Gaza once the situation there settles.
The DFA earlier confirmed that four Filipinos have already died due to the violence there, while De Vega shared there are still two missing Filipinos.
Currently, the Philippine government raised crisis alert level 4, or mandatory repatriation, in Gaza.