PALESTINIAN spouses of Filipino have been included in the list of those intending to leave war-torn Gaza, said Philippine officials on Wednesday.
At a press briefing, DFA Undersecretary Ed De Vega said it would be up to Egypt or relevant authorities whether or not to allow them to accompany their Filipino spouses, according to GMA News.
“We gave the names of the spouses and said they will accompany the wife. We will not actively ask to allow them to leave but we said these are the spouses to be with their wives. The Palestine Authority should work for their release outside Gaza,” De Vega said.
If allowed to cross Rafah border to Egypt, De Vega said the Philippine Embassy in Cairo will process their visas to the Philippines.
“They need to follow rules on foreign spouses of Filipinos,” he said, adding they need to shoulder their own air transportation expenses.
“We are not going to pay for their ticket. We will use the same formula we used in Sudan repatriation. Remember, we are not sending repatriation flights, we will use commercial flights,” De Vega added.
There are currently 136 Filipinos in Gaza, which was placed under Alert level 4 or mandatory evacuation by the Philippines. Between 70 to 80 have sought repatriation.
De Vega said four Filipinos, including a nun and a half-Palestine male and his child, have remained in Gaza City, the site of intense bombing by Israel forces in retaliation to Hamas’ Oct. 7 surprise attack that killed 1,400 Israelis and scores, including foreigners, were taken hostages.
Four Filipinos have died in Israel, while two more were reported missing. One of the two, according to the spouse of a Filipino man, was taken hostage by the Hamas, which controls Gaza.
De Vega said Philippine diplomats are still trying to ascertain the location of the Filipinos, adding they are in touch with foreign governments to help find them.
“We are not talking to the Hamas. We are asking the help of other governments,” he said.
