Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, October 30) — The fourth batch of Filipinos was repatriated from Israel on Monday, bringing the total number to 123 so far.
In a briefing on Monday, Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) officer-in-charge Hans Leo Cacdac said the fourth batch consists of 60 Filipinos.
He also said 250 Filipinos in Israel have requested to be repatriated so far, and repatriation efforts also continue in Lebanon.Both in Israel and Lebanon, we’re working closely with the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) and the Philippine Embassy. At sa ngayon ang nag-request naman na OFW sa Lebanon ay 124,” he added.[Translation: Right now 124 OFWs in Lebanon have requested to be repatriated.]Cacdac said that while he does not want to give a date, it would not be long before the first batch of Filipinos from Lebanon will be repatriated.Meanwhile, DFA Undersecretary Eduardo de Guzman said out of the 136 Filipinos in Gaza, 115 have been confirmed alive and unharmed. Authorities are still trying to reach 21 Filipinos.
“There are nine Filipino nationals in Gaza City which is now being hit. Of the nine, there are three who want to remain, including one Filipino nun of the Missionaries of Charity. Sino itong anim [Who are the six]? From the south—they lack space in the quarters where they are staying. They are from a family of eight, including two Palestinians,” he said, adding these individuals are not injured.
De Vega also said the Filipinos will not leave if their Palestinians spouses do not come with them.The rest of the Filipinos they were able to contact are in safer areas, the DFA official added.
