2 Pinoy doctors in Gaza cross border to Egypt

MANILA, Philippines — Two Filipino doctors were able to leave Gaza Strip and cross the Rafah border to Egypt, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said yesterday as Philippine authorities renewed their appeal to Tel Aviv and Cairo for the safe passage of Filipinos across the only border exit not controlled by Israel.

Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Eduardo de Vega said doctors Darwin dela Cruz and Regidor Esguerra, who are working with Doctors Without Borders, crossed the Rafah border to Egypt on Wednesday while 115 more Filipinos in Gaza expressed readiness to be repatriated.

De Vega said six Filipinos from Lebanon were scheduled to return to the Philippines today, while 45 Filipinos from Israel were set to arrive in Manila on Nov. 6.

“There are 45 Filipinos arriving from Israel on Nov. 6, and that is good news,” De Vega said in an interview on ANC.

The DFA said it is taking some time to secure permission from relevant authorities for Filipinos to exit Gaza as the territory remains under total blockade.

Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo and the Philippine ambassadors in Israel, Egypt and Jordan have been working closely with authorities in Israel and Egypt for the exit of more Filipinos.

On Wednesday, following an advisory that a limited number of evacuees may finally be permitted to exit Gaza via the Rafah border crossing, Manalo wrote to the foreign ministries of Israel and Egypt requesting that they issue the necessary permits for the safe passage of Filipinos.

Egypt allowed on Wednesday the opening of the Rafah border for wounded Palestinians and foreign nationals.