FMJ: Cease hostilities, release war hostages
By Nidz Godino
"Philippines is deeply concerned about rising number of victims and safety of all persons, as well as dire humanitarian consequences of conflict in Israel and in Gaza," President Ferdinand Marcos Jr joined other leaders from Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) in calling for cessation of hostilities, provision of humanitarian aid, release of hostages and strengthening diplomatic efforts to attain enduring peace in Israel and Palestine.
After exchanging views and expressing grave concerns over developments in Middle East during first ASEAN-GCC Summit two regional blocs called for peaceful resolution leading to two-state solution based on pre-1967 borders in accordance with international law and relevant UN Security Council resolutions.
They also called on all parties to conflict to protect civilians, refrain from targeting them and to abide by international humanitarian law, particularly Geneva Convention and for immediate and unconditional release of civilian hostages, especially women, children, sick and elderly.
ASEAN and GCC also expressed support for initiatives of Saudi Arabia, European Union and League of Arab States to revive Middle East peace process in cooperation with Egypt and Jordan, and resolve dispute between Israel and its neighbors in accordance with international law and all UN resolutions on this conflict.
Separately, ASEAN foreign ministers also issued statement expressing grave concern over recent escalation of armed conflict in Middle East.
FMJ has also expressed "deep concern" over escalation of violence between Israeli forces and Hamas militants has already left thousands dead, including four Filipinos.
FMJ hope all parties would exert utmost efforts for de-escalation and cessation of hostilities.
Meanwhile, two Filipinos remain unaccounted for in Israel-Hamas war, according to Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) Administrator Arnell Ignacio.
Ignacio said there were no updates yet on whereabouts of these missing OFWs in Israel. "I am hoping and praying they will be found soon," Ignacio said.
Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) and OWWA welcomed second group of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) returning from Israel.
DMW officer-in-charge Undersecretary Hans Leo Cacdac said second group is composed of 18 returning OFWs, 14 of whom are caregivers while four are hotel workers.
Each returning OFW from Israel will receive cash assistance worth P50,000 from both DMW and OWWA for total of P100,000, skills training vouchers and additional financial assistance from Technical Education and Skills Development Authority as well as psychosocial evaluation and assessment services from Department of Health and Department of Social Welfare and Development.
Last Wednesday, 16 OFWs from Israel were successfully brought home as first batch of repatriates, while 35 more OFWs in Israel have requested to be repatriated amid escalating conflict.
DMW has established help desk for OFWs and their families affected by ongoing tension between Israel and Lebanon.
In public advisory, DMW put up DMW-OWWA 24/7 Task Force Lebanon Help Desk to address concerns of around 17,000 OFWs based in Lebanon.
DMW said Lebanon Help Desk may be reached via hotline +63 2 1348 or via WhatsApp | Viber: +63 908 3268344, +63 927 1478186, +63 920 5171059.
Worst nightmare of family of missing Ilonggo caregiver in conflict-hit Israel has become reality.
On Thursday, DFA confirmed 44-year-old OFW Grace Prodigo-Cabrera from Maasin in Iloilo has been killed in Israel, almost two weeks after she was allegedly abducted by Hamas militants on Oct. 7.
Grace's body was reportedly found in desert in Be'eri Kibbutz, which is described by locals as "ground zero" of surprise Hamas attack on Israel. She was identified through her fingerprints.
Mary June Prodigo, her sister who also works in Israel, has verified report in Facebook post. Another sister, Mae Prodigo Minerva, said they received call from Ignacio confirming what happened to their kin and assuring them of help.
Meanwhile, remains of Negrense Loreta Villarin Alacre will be arriving in Philippines on Oct. 22, according to Negros Occidental Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson.
Lacson, however, said OWWA regional director Rizza Joy Moldes did not give specific time of arrival of remains.
Alacre, 49, of Sitio Camay-an, Barangay Cadiz Viejo in Cadiz City, was among four Filipino fatalities in attacks of Hamas in Israel. She had been caregiver in Haifa and Tel Aviv for 15 years.
Seven siblings of Alacre recently received P500,000 financial aid from Speaker Martin Romualdez. They disclosed Loreta was supposed to return to Philippines to mark her 50th birthday in November, and was thinking of retiring
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