DMW preparing flights for repatriation of OFWs in Israel, remains of fatalities

The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) on Thursday said it is preparing the flights for the repatriation of affected overseas Filipino workers and the remains of Pinoy fatalities amid the attack of Palestinian militant group Hamas on Israel.

At a press conference, DMW officer-in-charge Hans Leo Cacdac told reporters to wait for the announcement on the said repatriations.

“We're looking into the repatriation of OFWs who had requested repatriation already and we're bracing for repatriation,” Cacdac said.

“So abangan na lang ang karampatang anunsyo dito (let’s just wait for the announcement) because obviously we’re preparing the flights and all that. But soon there will be repatriation of OFWs,” he added.

According to him, 22 OFWs including 19 caregivers and three hotel workers in Israel have requested for repatriation so far.

Regarding the remains of two Filipinos who were killed, Cacdac said the DMW still has to get clearances from the Israeli authorities.

“It's been done before noong (previously) pandemic sa (in) Saudii. We had mass repatriation of remains so kakayanin man (it can be done),” he said.

“Maybe we’re just at the stage na medyo we still need to get the proper clearances from the Israeli authorities,” he added.

Cacdac said that the repatriation of OFWs and Pinoy fatalities may be done through the same flight.

“Baka nga ganoon. So baka puwede isakay doon. (Maybe we can do that. So maybe the remains can be loaded there too). We’ll sort it out, the paperwork and the flights available,” he said.

Department  of Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Educardo de Vega said the process for the shipment of the remains is ongoing.

“Only question is about the shipment of remains. We are not sure if the families prefer to have them here but the process is ongoing,” De Vega said in an interview on CNN Philippines.

Meanwhile in Gaza, De Vega said around 70 Pinoys have requested to be repatriated.

But De Vega said Gaza is under a blockade and they are already working to have humanitarian corridors that will allow the Filipinos to exit.

The Philippines on Thursday has placed Gaza under Alert Level 3 amid the ongoing reprisal strikes by Israel, the DFA said.

Alert Level 3 means voluntary repatriation. According to the DFA, there are 137 Filipinos in Gaza.

Alert Level 2, meanwhile, is raised over Israel, which is home to at least 30,000 Filipino workers, most of them caregivers.

Alert Level 2 entails restriction of non-essential movements, avoiding places of protest, and preparation for possible evacuation.

Hamas militants carried out their deadliest attack in Israel's history on Saturday, when gunmen rampaged through Israeli towns, killing more than 1,000 people and taking scores of hostages to Gaza.

Israel has retaliated with air strikes on Gaza that have razed entire districts as it prepares for a possible ground offensive.

A Reuters report said the United Nations Office for Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs said more than 338,000 people have been forced to flee their homes in the Gaza Strip as heavy Israeli bombardments continue to hit the Palestinian enclave. — RSJ, GMA Integrated News