Last batch of 14 Filipinos back in PH from war-torn Gaza, says DFA

Smoke rises over Gaza, amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and the Palestinian Islamist group Hamas, as seen from Israel, February 20, 2024. The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said Thursday, February 22, 2024, that the last batch of 14 Filipinos from under siege Gaza Strip arrived in the Philippines on February 21. REUTERS/Susana Vera

MANILA, Philippines — The last batch of 14 Filipinos from under siege Gaza Strip have arrived in the Philippines, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) confirmed Thursday.

In a text message to INQUIRER.net, Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Eduardo de Vega said the number of Filipinos repatriated from the war-torn enclave due to the ongoing Israel-Hamas war is now at 136.

“Yesterday February 21, at 8 a.m. […] the last batch of 14 Filipino nationals fleeing from Gaza arrived at the [Ninoy Aquino International Airport], where they were met by DFA and Overseas Workers Welfare Administration officials,” said de Vega.

“This makes a total of 136 out of the original 137 Filipino nationals in Gaza who have finally been evacuated,” he continued, adding that the 14 Filipinos were accompanied by two Palestinian spouses.

According to de Vega, the Philippine Embassy in Cairo provided each family with financial assistance before flying to Manila.

One Filipino citizen still in Gaza

De Vega, however, noted that one Filipino nun has decided to stay in Gaza.

“The nun [had been] saying this since October. She just asks for prayers,” he said. He then gave assurance that the Philippine embassy in Amman continues to monitor her situation.

Earlier, Philippine Ambassador to Jordan Wilfredo Santos told INQUIRER.net that the 14 Filipinos may have sought repatriation because “the situation in Gaza has become more serious.”