Most of the Filipinos in Gaza have sought repatriation while some in Israel also now want to leave the country as war between Israeli forces and Hamas militants still rages.
Difficulties to leave the Hamas-controlled Gaza face the 92 Filipinos who want to leave the territory as it remains sealed off by the Israeli government as of Friday, Oct. 13.
But the Philippine government already asked other countries to push for the opening of humanitarian corridors in Gaza and help in the repatriation of the trapped Filipinos.
Meanwhile, at least 22 Filipinos in Israel have also already expressed their intent to leave the country in fear of aggravation of the economic situation, Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Undersecretary Eduardo Jose de Vega said. The request came although it is generally safe there.
The first batch—composed of eight Filipinos from Israel—will leave on Oct. 16.
"In the President's words, what is critical now is Gaza, and let’s keep exploring all possible exit options," de Vega said at a public briefing on Friday.
The Philippine embassies in Egypt and Jordan are now preparing for the repatriation of Filipinos in Gaza, with its officials already on the border to assist them once the humanitarian corridor opens.
But still, there is no guarantee that Filipinos and other nationalities would be given smooth entry into Egypt from Gaza, de Vega said.
"They may also wait one day, two days, three days, tulad ng nangyari sa (like what happened to) Sudan. So, we're counting on the UN—and, of course, there will not just be Filipinos; there will be other nationalities as well. Of course, we have to anticipate the possibility... that only foreigners will be allowed out," he said.
"Inaayos na ng ating embassy sa Cairo at Amman iyong kanilang travel documents, ang kanilang passports or what (Our embassies in Cairo and Amman are already arranging their travel documents, their passports or what). So they have the papers to be able to travel to the Philippines. The question is: Entry to Egypt, safe entry to Egypt. But we are working on that, in full accordance with the instruction of the President," he added.
He said the Philippine government is hoping that repatriates will be taken care of once they are on the border.
"I’m sure the international community, the Red Cross, and other organizations will find the way to provide them food and all that in case they have to stay at the border while their papers are being processed," he added.
Meanwhile, in the West Bank, another Palestinian territory that is separated from Gaza, de Vega said the 70 Filipinos there are doing well.
"They are not in danger because walang hostilities doon at saka (there are no hostilities there and) the official Palestinian government is in favor of a diplomatic solution to their issues with Israel," he said.