DFA says efforts ongoing to bring others home after arrival of 34 Pinoys from Gaza

The first batch of Filipino evacuees from war-torn Gaza arrived in the Philippines on Friday, Nov. 10, after a series of “intense” and “round-the-clock” coordination among relevant government agencies, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said.

Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo (rightmost) with the Filipino repatriates from Gaza. (Photo by James Ryan Artiaga/DFA)

According to a DFA statement, the group was comprised of an initial batch of 34 Filipinos, mostly spouses and dependents of Palestinian nationals, who arrived at 4:30 p.m. on Friday. Their Palestinian spouses were left in Gaza as they are yet to be allowed to cross the Rafah border shared with Egypt.

Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo underscored the importance of President Marcos’ directive to bring the Filipinos back home through negotiations and coordination with several foreign governments, including Israel, Egypt, and Qatar.

“President Marcos had been deeply concerned about the condition of our kababayans in Gaza, and therefore he constantly issued guidance for us to do everything necessary to bring them home,” he said.

Manalo added that the repatriation of Filipinos, who crossed the border and stayed temporarily in Cairo, Egypt before flying back to the Philippines, “would not have been possible without the determination and courage of our DFA personnel, especially those in our Embassies in Tel Aviv, Cairo, and Amman.”

“We are also very grateful to Israel, Egypt, and Qatar for extending assistance in the departure of our nationals,” the DFA chief furthered.

Qatar is largely credited for its mediation in allowing foreign nationals to exit Gaza Strip through the Rafah border crossing, which is the only way out of the strife-torn territory.

This first batch of evacuees was part of the hundreds of foreign nationals initially allowed to leave Gaza, which continues to reel from intense fighting and challenging humanitarian conditions since the war broke out between Israel and Palestinian militant group Hamas.

After crossing the border, they were received by the Philippine Embassy in Cairo, which facilitated their flight to the Philippines using DFA’s Assistance-to-Nationals (ATN) fund.

Tha repatriation was actually delayed by a week after a first attempt on Nov. 4 failed because of bombings near the border.

Manalo, who led the diplomatic efforts to bring the Filipinos home, took to X (formerly Twitter) to express his admiration for the repatriates.

“I admire the strength and resilience of our kababayan who had to endure the arduous journey out of Gaza. Finally, they are home,” he wrote.

The official also said that efforts are underway to facilitate the return of more Filipinos.

“@DFAPHL is working to facilitate the repatriation of more Filipinos, and I am hopeful of further positive news in the coming days #DFAinAction,” he added.

Another group of Filipinos is currently being processed at the Rafah border crossing, with the DFA chief stressing that the agency is committed to perform its mandate of upholding the welfare of Filipinos overseas.

He also assured that no efforts will be spared to bring all of the affected nationals home.

— Raymund Antonio

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