Courtesy: The Nation
THE Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) corrected earlier reports that all Filipinos have been evacuated in war-torn Gaza City after the implementation of a mandatory evacuation by the Philippine government under Alert Level 4.
“We’d like to correct something we’ve been saying. We’ve been saying all Filipinos have been evacuated to the south. There are apparently still three Filipino nationals in Gaza City, including a father and child who are in the hospital. So, that’s a concern,” DFA Undersecretary for Migrant Workers Affairs Eduardo de Vega said in an ANC interview.
The DFA placed Gaza City under Alert Level 4 on October 15 amid the ground offensive of Israeli forces against Hamas militants there.
The agency back then said that some Filipinos were situated near the Rafah border crossing near Egypt, while the rest have left northern Gaza or Gaza City, which is expected to be the main site for hostilities.
“Everywhere is critical… Of course, the southern part is where it’s supposed to be safer but our kababayan themselves say they’re hearing airstrikes. It’s not as bad as the northern Gaza,” De Vega said.
Philippine Ambassador to Jordan Wilfredo Santos said Tuesday that the 136 Filipinos in Gaza affected by the war between Israel and the Hamas group have remained safe and accounted for as they await repatriation and make do with limited food and water.
In Israel, De Vega said that two Filipinos remain missing—one is an Israeli passport holder, while the other person is most likely taken hostage.
