Another batch of repatriates from Gaza arrives in PH

Transcript

00:00 The city of Gaza is condemned a no-man's land where no one is safe.

00:04 Hence, all foreigners, to include enlightened homegrown migrant workers,

00:08 have left, given the worsening status of survival in the battered Palestinian enclave.

00:14 Our Rod Lagoussad narrates the arrival of the latest batch of repatriates from Gaza in this report.

00:20 It was their fourth time at the border between Gaza and Egypt

00:25 when Nadia's Palestinian husband was finally given permission to cross the border.

00:30 We reached the Egyptian border.

00:32 We stayed there for more than 10 hours or 12 hours just waiting.

00:39 Actually, I am the last one left the border.

00:43 They were doing their best to put my name and to get approval for me to be out.

00:48 Amidst a sense of relief, there was still sadness because he didn't know the current status of their family.

00:54 I can't say I am happy but I can say I am grateful that we are alive and we are out.

01:00 We are thinking that as long as we are not in the Philippines, it is not safe.

01:04 Right now, they just want to get some rest from their unimaginable ordeal in Gaza.

01:08 They are among the 13 Filipinos, including 7 children and 6 Palestinian spouses,

01:13 who returned to the country tonight.

01:15 They are the last batch of Filipinos and Palestinian spouses from Gaza

01:18 who earlier signified a desire to be repatriated as the war rages on.

01:22 According to DFA Assistant Secretary Paul Cortes, those who've been repatriated are thankful.

01:28 They received some financial assistance when they arrived in Egypt.

01:34 We also paid their ticket to come here.

01:38 When they arrived here, they were assisted by the OAS and the DSWD.

01:43 There were also local government units who expressed their interest

01:49 to help our fellow Filipinos rebuild their homes.

01:54 The DFA is coordinating with local government units and other government agencies

01:57 for possible additional repatriation.

01:59 Right now, there are still 26 Filipinos left in Gaza

02:03 who can't leave and are tied up with their Palestinian spouses.

02:06 We will always, always welcome our fellow Filipinos,

02:09 even if they "miss the bus", if you want to put it that way.

02:14 But our commitment stands for those of our fellow Filipinos who wish to come home.

02:19 We will help you, we will continue to assist you.

02:22 At the moment, the DFA doesn't have information on when the gates at the Rafah crossing,

02:27 the border between Gaza and Egypt, will reopen.

02:29 Nonetheless, the Philippine embassies in Jordan and Egypt

02:32 are ready to provide assistance at any given moment.

02:35 Rod Lugused, for The Nation.