Amid war, 46 Filipinos set to cross into Egypt

MANILA, Philippines — After several delays in the reopening of the Rafah border crossing, 46 Filipinos were set to cross into Egypt yesterday, according to the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA).

“All 46 Filipinos have been approved for crossing today,” DFA Undersecertary Eduardo de Vega said yesterday.

The Palestinian spouses of Filipinos will be allowed to join them once they are flown to Manila.

“Our embassy in Cairo and Amman are certain that tonight the Filipinos will be able to cross into Egypt,” De Vega said at a press briefing.

Israel’s foreign ministry informed the Philippine embassy about allowing the Palestinian spouses of Filipinos to leave Gaza.

“The Palestinian spouses of Filipinos will also be allowed to leave Gaza. It’s a matter of waiting for a written approval,” De Vega said.

He said 39 Filipinos were already at the border while seven others were undecided about leaving Gaza.

“Seven are having second thoughts about leaving. One of them has a son with Down Syndrome and doesn’t want to leave without the Plaestinian spouse. The other is a family who would rather stay where the Palestinan husband is residing,” De Vega said.

The evacuation of foreigners including Filipinos set last Sunday and Monday was delayed due to attacks along the route toward Egypt.

De Vega said they spoke with Israeli Ambassador Ilan Fluss on Monday, wherein he relayed anew that the Philippines respects Israel’s right to self-defense, although the country is also worried about the civilians.

“We were told that the Israeli Defense Force has its strategy and is working to rescue all of them, but they can’t reveal what the IDF is doing,” he said.

Two missing Filipinos are believed to be among the hostages taken by the militant Hamas during the siege on Oct. 7.

Another 42 overseas Filipino workers (OFWs), mostly caregivers, arrived from Israel yesterday afternoon.

The group, including a three-year-old girl, arrived at the Ninoy Aquino international Airport Terminal 3 on an Etihad Airways flight.

The OFWs were met by representatives of the Department of Migrant Workers and Overseas Workers’ Welfare Administration.

Doctors and nurses from the Department of Health checked the temperature and blood pressure of the OFWs.

Those living in Metro Manila were transported to their homes, while those in the provinces were checked into hotels before going home.

Meanwhile, Sen. Bong Go has called for immediate action for the security and safety of OFWs caught in the war.

Go urged the government to expedite the repatriation of Filipinos, saying swift and decisive actions are important.

As chair of the Senate committee on health and vice chair of migrant workers, Go raised concern on the health and safety of OFWs in Gaza.

“Filipinos, wherever they are in the world, especially OFWs who are considered modern-day heroes, must be given utmost attention and care in times of need. Their safety is non-negotiable,” Go said. — Evelyn Macairan