DFA sending team to Gaza to evacuate Pinoys

MANILA, Philippines - The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) announced on Monday that it will be sending a team to Egypt and Israel to evacuate Filipinos living at the Gaza strip where attacks by Israeli military were expected to intensify.

DFA Assistant Secretary Raul Hernandez said in a media briefing that a rapid response team will be leaving for Egypt and then to Israel on Monday night.

"We are sending a rapid response team because we want to respond to any eventuality...and coordinate with experts in the evacuation movements," Hernandez said.

He noted that they are eyeing two possible exit points from Gaza: one at the border of Egypt and the one at Jordan.

To date, there are about a hundred Filipinos at the Gaza strip.

Meanwhile, Hernandez said the condition of Filipinos in Israel remains normal.

He said the Israeli government have constructed bomb shelters in anticipation of the Hamas rebels' shelling.