The Israeli government assured the Philippines that it would allow Filipinos to pass the Rafah Crossing going to Egypt, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. said on Friday as he assured the Philippine government’s readiness to bring Filipinos out of the war zone.
President Marcos said Israeli Ambassador to the Philippines Ilan Fluss was able to get in touch with the Foreign Minister of Israel and Philippine Ambassador Junie Laylo.
Laylo, in turn, also met with the Israeli Foreign Minister on Thursday who made a commitment to allow Filipinos to pass the crossing.
“So, may pangako sila sa atin na maipapalabas na ang mga Pinoy, ang mga Pilipino, maipapalabas na by today or tomorrow. That is what they promised us. Saturday daw at the latest,” President said in a press briefing during the announcement of the new agriculture secretary in Malacanang.
“Nakahanda naman lahat ng ating mga bus. Nakahanda na ‘yung mga embassy natin sa Cairo na napunta… Nandoon lang sila. Matagal na silang nag-aantay doon sa tawiran, ‘yung Rafah crossing. And they are ready for when the time comes na tumawid na ang mga Pinoy dadalhin at pauuwiin.”
The Rafah Crossing Point is the only crossing point between Egypt and the Gaza Strip, located on the Gaza-Egypt border. It was recognized by the 1979 Egypt–Israel peace treaty.
The Philippine government has also offered assistance to Thais, Vietnamese and other nationals from Southeast Asian countries who were stranded at the crossing and want to get out of Gaza, Marcos said, telling other ASEAN countries to collaborate for the safety of their nationals.
“And it looks like we are the ones there first because ang presence naman ng Pinoy in the area is much higher than the others. So, that is the latest news that I received today, early this (Friday) morning from our Secretary of the DFA,” Marcos said.
“And sana naman matotoo na para mailabas na natin lahat ng gustong lumabas and bring them back home to safety.”
The President noted the situation became complicated because the Palestinian husbands of some of the Filipinos were not allowed to leave Gaza.
Many of the Filipinos cannot decide whether to leave their husbands and children in Gaza, which has been under heavy bombardment and assault by Israeli forces.
“Siyempre ayaw naman nilang iwanan ang asawa nila, ayaw nilang iwanan ‘yung kanilang anak. So, these are the problems that we are facing,” Marcos said.
The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW), Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) and the Philippine embassy announced the repatriation few batches of Filipinos from Israel. PND
