Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, April 30) – Egyptian immigration authorities allowed 340 Filipinos fleeing embattled Sudan to enter Egypt after they were held for two days at the border, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said on Sunday.
“340 were finally issued visas and clearances to enter Egypt. [Philippine] Ambassador [to Egypt Ezzedin] Tago on hand to direct all operations,” Assistant Secretary Paul Cortes said.
“From the border, the 340 are now on their way to Cairo where they will be billeted in hotels and then to be flown to Manila within the week through DFA funding,” he added.
Before they were allowed to enter Egypt, the Filipino evacuees were held at an immigration facility in the Argeen border of Sudan and Egypt.
“The desert became their toilet while in the immigration facilities kasi hindi naman handa ang Egyptian side sa dami [because the Egyptian side was not prepared for so many] so they were exposed to the elements,” Migrant Workers Secretary Susan Ople said in a Sunday briefing.
From the border, they were transported by bus to Cairo. It was a 15-hour ride, Ople added.
She also said four hotels had been booked to accommodate all Filipino evacuees upon their arrival in Cairo.
Cortes said the 340 Filipinos would be repatriated within the week.
Meanwhile, the Department of Migrant Workers said 116 more Filipinos are currently on their way from Khartoum, Sudan to Argeen. Upon arrival, they too will be held by immigration for two to three days before they are allowed to enter Egypt.
