MANILA – On Sunday, the Philippine government vehemently condemned the escalating violence in Israel and assured the public that it is in close coordination with the Philippine Embassy in Tel Aviv to ensure the safety of Filipino nationals.

“The Philippines strongly condemns the recent attacks, particularly those targeting civilian populations,” stated the Office of the President. This statement came in response to the sudden assaults launched by the Hamas group against Israelis on Saturday and the subsequent retaliatory actions taken by Israeli forces.

The official statement expressed heartfelt sympathies and condolences to those who have lost family members and loved ones in these recent attacks. Furthermore, it emphasized that the Philippines recognizes the right of states to self-defense in the face of external aggression, as outlined in the United Nations Charter.

In a separate announcement, the Presidential Communications Office disclosed that President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. had instructed the government to maintain close coordination with the embassy in Tel Aviv and the Migrant Workers Office in Israel, with the primary aim of assisting Filipinos affected by the ongoing conflict.

Both offices have been tasked with promptly locating and accounting for all overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) and their families residing in Israel. To facilitate communication, the Department of Migrant Workers has established a hotline along with Viber and WhatsApp numbers, which will accept calls and inquiries from OFWs and the Filipino community seeking government assistance.

Call for International Support

Meanwhile, the Israeli Embassy in Manila called upon allied nations to extend their support to Israel and unequivocally condemn the acts of violence.

“In this moment of distress, we urge our friends and allies to stand firmly with Israel and denounce these acts of terror committed by Hamas. We expect the international community and our close allies to condemn terrorism and uphold Israel’s right to defend its citizens,” declared Israeli Ambassador to the Philippines Ilan Fluss during a virtual briefing.

Fluss revealed that the extensive acts of terror have resulted in more than 250 Israeli casualties, with over 1,600 individuals injured and more than 100 Israelis taken as hostages in Gaza.

“Hamas continues to launch rocket attacks into Israel. This terrorist organization has infiltrated our cities and residential areas, deliberately targeting innocent Israeli citizens, including the elderly, women, and children,” he pointed out.

Fluss clarified that while there have been reports of foreign nationals being held hostage, it remains uncertain if Filipinos are among them.

“Israel remains under attack. Terrorists are still active in the southern part of Israel, and the Israeli Defense Forces are engaged in ongoing efforts to regain full control of the situation,” he noted.

“I have heard reports about Philippine nationals, but at this stage, we do not have any confirmation regarding their involvement. The situation is still evolving, and we are in the process of gathering information,” he explained.

Fluss underscored that the Israeli Defense Forces are compelled to respond to the attacks by initiating a large-scale operation. He emphasized that Israel has the inherent right to protect itself, and it is the government’s duty to ensure the safety of its citizens and foreign residents living in the country.

“We deeply appreciate the messages of support and solidarity that Israel is receiving from our Filipino friends. As we navigate these challenging times, a clear message resounds: Stand with Israel, condemn Hamas’ attacks, and reject terrorism unequivocally,” Fluss concluded.

(ai/mnm)