MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on Friday said that the number of Filipinos seeking repatriation from the Gaza Strip increased to 92 amid a raging skirmish between Israel and the Palestinian militant group Hamas.
“Out of the 131 [Filipinos in Gaza] up to 92 now are asking for repatriation, and that’s as of several hours ago,” DFA Undersecretary Eduardo De Vega said in a Palace briefing.
“That’s over 70 percent, and not one has been repatriated yet because of the fact that Gaza is under blockade, but we are working on it,” he added.
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According to de Vega, DFA is working with its diplomatic partners to see if the outskirts surrounding Gaza – the border in Israel and Rafah border in Egypt – could be opened for humanitarian purposes despite restrictions.
De Vega also announced eight of the 22 Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) in Israel who sought repatriation are expected to return to the Philippines on October 16. Expenses for their repatriation would be shouldered by the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) and Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA).
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“And as they promised, once they arrived, they’ll be given the proper assistance, the usual reintegration and other assistance packages provided by the DMW and OWWA,” he noted.
He also clarified that the 22 OFWs from Israel asked to go home to the Philippines due to “economic reasons” and as their conditions were even worsened by the ongoing conflict.
“In Israel, there are some who have indicated that they want to go home – not because they were victimized by the war specifically but because indirectly, they lost a job or times are hard for them… for economic reasons therefore. Obviously aggravated by this conflict,” de Vega explained.
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