Envoy: Some Pinoys in Egypt backing out of flight home

Some of the Filipinos in the first batch of repatriates from violence-wracked Egypt are backing out of their scheduled flight at the last minute, a Philippine official there said Friday. But Philippine Embassy charge d'affaires Eduardo Pablo Maglaya said there are other Filipinos who are waiting to take the place of those who are backing out. "Itong 26, may last-minute may nagba-back out [pero] meron kaming kapalit. Mga 26 ang allotted," Maglaya said in an interview on radio dzBB Friday. (Of the first batch of 26, some are backing out at the last minute but there are others who can take their place. Some 26 seats are allotted.) He did not explain, however, the reasons of these Filipinos for backing out of their scheduled repatriation. According to Maglaya, the situation in Egypt is "normalizing," with Internet and mobile phone services resuming and banking services expected to normalize on Sunday. "May bangko, nagdi-distribute ng pera limited to 1000 pounds," he said. (There are banks distributing money to customers but limited up to 1,000 pounds.) Maglaya also claimed that the presence of Egyptian police and military forces has helped quell the violence. "Ang importante, in control ang gobyerno at nariyan ang army at police presence, tahimik dito," he said. (What’s important is that the government is in control and there is army and police presence. It’s peaceful here.) He said the embassy will monitor protest activities, including a "Million Man March" reportedly scheduled for the Friday. The DFA earlier clarified that at least 27 Filipinos have availed of the Philippine government’s offer of repatriation, following the escalation of mass protests in Egypt to demand the ouster of President Hosni Mubarak. (See: PHL Embassy in Egypt sends food, water to trapped Pinoys) The repatriates are composed of 13 women, nine minors and five men. Three are nurses from the Dar Al Fouad Hospital, while the rest are household service workers and Filipino scholars at the Al-Azhar University. They are scheduled to fly back to the Philippines on Saturday. According to the DFA, there are 6,569 Filipinos in Egypt, mostly domestic helpers and scholars. Another 3,000 Filipino workers are undocumented.—With Jerrie M. Abella/JV, GMANews.TV