Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, October 14) — The Philippines’ Southeast Asian neighbors have offered help in repatriating Filipinos caught in the middle of the war between Israel and Hamas.
The offer is an \”international approach\” in responding to the crisis, according to the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA).
\”ASEAN countries have also approached us for help, at the same time, they offered help. For example, Indonesia is offering to help Filipinos who want to leave the West Bank. While they have no presence in Gaza, obviously, but they have citizens in Gaza so they are asking for our assistance,\” DFA Undersecretary Eduardo de Vega said in a Palace briefing.
However, Israel has to agree to a humanitarian corridor, and Egypt should also allow citizens to enter through its border in order for Filipinos to get out of Gaza.
Philippine officials are already talking to their friends from Egypt about the arrangement so Filipinos from Gaza who want to be repatriated can be brought there, De Vega said.
\”What is critical now is Gaza and let’s keep exploring all possible exit options,\” he added.
