Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, November 10) — Thirty-four Filipinos allowed to exit war-stricken Gaza finally arrived home on Friday.
Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Undersecretary Eduardo de Vega said the 34 Filipinos and one Palestinian spouse flew in from Cairo, Egypt.
They comprise the first batch of Filipinos from Gaza to return home. Last week, two Filipinos working for humanitarian group Doctors Without Borders were also able to cross from Gaza to Egypt, where they waited to be deployed elswhere.
The repatriates were welcomed by DFA and Overseas Workers Welfare Administration officials at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3.
“I admire the strength and resilience of our kababayan who had to endure the arduous journey out of Gaza. Finally, they are home,” said DFA Secretary Enrique Manalo on X, formerly Twitter.
“DFA is working to facilitate the repatriation of more Filipinos, and I am hopeful of further positive news in the coming days,” he added.
The Filipino repatriates were provided financial and livelihood assistance by the national government.
The DFA earlier said another batch of 42 Filipinos are heading to Egypt for safer grounds and expected to arrive in Manila on Sunday, Nov. 13.
