THE Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) is currently in the process of verifying reports regarding the alleged abduction of Filipino workers by suspected Hamas militants amidst a major escalation of hostilities in Israel.

According to Foreign Affairs Spokesperson Ma. Teresita Daza, the Philippine Embassy in Tel Aviv has received “unconfirmed reports” that a group of Filipinos working in close proximity to the Israeli border was taken captive on Saturday morning.

“We have received these unconfirmed reports at the Philippine Embassy in Tel Aviv, and we are actively working to verify their accuracy,” stated Daza.

She further assured that all Filipino agro-studies students in Israel are currently “accounted for,” based on the latest information available.

“Nevertheless, we are continuously monitoring the situation and have requested the local authorities to ensure their safety,” Daza added.

Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Eduardo Jose de Vega disclosed that contingency plans have been put into motion, including an emergency meeting convened at the embassy, to ensure the well-being of the approximately 30,000 Filipinos residing in Israel.

Fortunately, there have been no reported injuries among the Filipino community in Israel, as confirmed by de Vega. “Evacuation plans have been prepared, just in case. However, as of now, our ambassador has reported no Filipino casualties. We are actively in touch with the Filipino community to ensure their welfare,” he stated in a television interview on Saturday.

In response to this situation, the Department of Migrant Workers has established a 24/7 Task Force Israel Desk dedicated to assisting Filipinos in Israel. They can be reached at +63 2 1348 or via WhatsApp and Viber at +63 9083268344, +63 9271478186, or +63 9205171059.

(AI/MNM)

Image Courtesy of: Pilipino Star Ngayon

By: Junex Doronio

RAISING THE POSSIBILITY that fear for their lives may have caused the recantation of two student activists who had claimed they have surrendered to the government after being abducted by communist rebels, the Public Attorney’s Office (PAO) on Wednesday lamented for being on the receiving end.

PAO chief Persida Acosta stood firm that the two activists wrote their affidavits in longhand even before a PAO lawyer from Norzagaray, Bulacan interviewed them.

“Tiniyak ng PAO na ‘yung laman nitong sulat kamay ay ‘yung nasa puso nila. Nag-interview siya, ipinaulit-ulit niya ‘yung mga sinasabi ng dalawa. Ang pakiramdam namin, itong dalawang ito ay may kinakatakutan na may gumanti sa kanila kaya nag-recant,” Acosta said.

On Wednesday, the National Security Council (NSC) also fumed over the recantation of the two activists and accused them of lying.

Last week, in a press conference the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) and police claimed that Castro and Tamano had surrendered to the Army’s 70th Infantry Battalion in Bulacan province.

NSC Assistant Director General Jonathan Malaya also said that the two had signed affidavits and that they had voluntarily left “the communist movement”.

But self-styled human rights groups expressed doubt on the narrative of Castro and Tamano who had been reported missing since September 2.

(ai/mnm)