Gov’t imposes mandatory repatriation for Filipinos in Gaza Strip

DFA Building / Wikipedia photo

MANILA — The Philippine government is now imposing a mandatory repatriation of Filipino citizens in Gaza Strip, as the tension between Israel and Hamas escalates, a Malacanang official said on Sunday.

In a press briefing over radio station dzRB Radyo ng Bayan, Presidential Communication Operations Office Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. said the Department of Foreign Affairs has raised the warning to Alert Level IV.

Under Alert Level IV, a mandatory repatriation of Filipino citizens is in effect.

“Ayon sa DFA, ang mga embahada ng Pilipinas sa Cairo, Tel Aviv, at Amman ay handang ilikas at tulungang makauwi sa bansa ang mga Pilipinong nasa Gaza. Ito ay sa pakikipag-ugnayan sa mga awtoridad ng mga bansang Israel, Egypt, Jordan, at United Nations,” Coloma said.

Meanwhile, DFA also issued Alert Level II or restricted phase on areas approximately 15 kilometers away from the conflict zone. Alert Level I or the precautionary phase is raised in the West Bank and other parts of Israel.

“Patuloy na tinututukan ng DFA ang mga kaganapan,” Coloma added.

Malacanang also joined other nations that called for a ceasefire in the conflict area.

“Nakikiisa ang bansa sa mga panawagan ng United Nations hinggil sa tigil-putukan at tigil-karahasan para huwag nang hantungan pa ng pagbubuwis ng buhay ng mga inosenteng tao,” said Coloma.

Israeli troops are on the offensive against Hamas militants who are launching rockets and indiscriminately targeting cities in Israel.