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Headline
2 Pinoys succumed in Hamas raids – DFA
By Nidz Godino
"Philippines condemns killing of two Filipino nationals and all other acts of terrorism and violence as result of Hamas actions against Israel," Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo wrote in post on X, confirming two Filipino casualties but without giving further details.
Two Filipinos have been killed in Israel as Israeli-Palestinian conflict intensifies.
He said Philippines is ready to work with other countries toward long-lasting resolution to conflict, in accordance with pertinent United Nations Security Council resolutions and general principles of international law.
"Philippine government will continue to provide all possible assistance to distressed Filipino nationals in Israel and Palestine," he stressed.
Israel likewise condemned killing of two Filipino caregivers and expressed sympathies to families of casualties.
"Embassy of the State of Israel in Manila expresses its deepest sympathies to families of two overseas Filipino workers ,OFW who were confirmed dead due to Hamas terror attacks in Israel," Israel embassy said in statement. "We offer prayers as well to those who are still missing."
Israel has full right to respond and protect itself following deadly attacks by militant Hamas early Saturday morning.
"We strongly condemn acts of terrorism by Hamas towards innocent Israeli citizens and other nationalities in Israel… Israel will continue to defend itself against Hamas," embassy said.
Philippines on Monday reiterated country recognizes Israel's right to self-defense.
Two fatalities who were working in Gaza envelope were among six Filipinos unaccounted for.
DNA test on body found by Israeli authorities would be made to determine if it is of female caregiver who, according to her sister also working in Israel, has been missing since outbreak of violence.
Bodies of two OFWs were in police custody when embassy was notified of their deaths.
Body of female OFW was found first, but it took time to confirm and needed collection of DNA samples from relatives for comparison.
Male OFW was identified through biometric data.
Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad launched Saturday morning attack on Israel, including thousands of indiscriminate rockets, prompting intensive strikes by Israel and complete siege of Gaza Strip.
International community condemned in strongest terms attack by Hamas against Israeli towns.
UN said hundreds of Israelis have been killed and thousands injured. Scores are also being held captive facing appalling threats to their lives.
Hundreds of Palestinians have also been killed and thousands injured in intense bombing in Gaza.
Israeli authorities ordered shutting off of electricity, water, food and fuel supplies.
UN urged all parties to stop targeting civilians and spare civilian lives.
UN rights chief Volker Türk demanded Hamas and other armed groups immediately release their hostages.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. condemned killing of two Filipinos in Israel as Philippine government is bracing for possible evacuation efforts in areas affected by hostilities by Israeli forces and Islamist Hamas militants.
"My heart is heavy upon hearing confirmation of deaths of two Filipinos in Israel… Philippines condemns these killings and stands firmly against ongoing terror and violence," FMJ said in statement.
Philippine embassy in Israel declined to identify fatalities, but revealed that one of them was 33-year-old newly married female from Pangasinan who worked in Israel for six years, while other was 42-year-old married male from Pampanga.
Labor Attaché Rudy Gabasan said one of the Filipinos, caregiver, was gunned down by Hamas militants who were trying to enter house. Other Filipino fatality was reportedly seized by Hamas members during Saturday's attack.
Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Undersecretary Eduardo de Vega, claimed that it was not likely that Filipino victim was held hostage and then taken to Gaza Strip to be executed.
"But out of respect, wishes of family, as ambassador has indicated, we are not going to give details…perhaps, President will speak about it…but for now, no, we are not going to give more details other than that they died on Saturday," De Vega said.
Philippine Ambassador to Israel Pedro Laylo Jr. talked to wife of one of Filipino victims last Tuesday night, describing it as " most difficult phone call" in his career.
"I spoke to the wife of one of the victims to inform her of this sad news and to convey our sympathies. I promised her that the embassy will provide all the necessary assistance she needs, the President will also speak to her today to convey his personal condolences and offer additional assistance" Laylo said.
Vice Consul Patricia Narajos said another Filipino was reportedly killed during attack, but information is still being confirmed through DNA testing.
Narajos added three Filipinos are still missing while 26 others have been rescued.
FMJ said Philippine government would remain "resolute" in pursuit of lasting peace in line with UN resolutions and international laws.
"Philippine government would not cease sending support to Filipinos affected by ongoing conflict between Israeli troops and Hamas," he added.
FMJ has instructed agencies and Filipino community to work closely with Philippine embassy in Tel Aviv and migrant workers office in Israel to ensure their safety.
Laylo said Philippine embassy is not yet recommending mandatory repatriation in Israel, noting Israeli Defense Forces have already regained areas attacked by Hamas.
DFA, however, has placed Israel under Alert Level 2 or restricted deployment.
Under Alert Level 2, Filipinos are instructed to restrict non-essential movements, avoid public places and prepare for evacuation, if needed.
"We're not going to deploy new workers, actually status quo, anyway, because we still have to negotiate agreement about caregivers and about hotel workers by government-to-government agreement and right now, there is no deployment," De Vega said.
He added mandatory repatriation or Alert Level 4 is called when peace and order and rule of law in a country has broken down.
Consul General Anton Mandap reported situation "has considerably improved since Oct. 7."
De Vega reiterated government's appeal for Filipinos to postpone their visits to Holy Land until conflict has subsided.
While Marcos administration does not see need to repatriate Filipinos in Israel for now, Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) is ready to conduct evacuation efforts for Filipinos affected by hostilities.
AFP spokesman Col. Medel Aguilar said at least two C-130 and one C-295 military planes could be used for evacuation operations.
Aguilar stressed Adana Airport in Turkey has been identified as temporary safe haven for Filipinos in case conflict escalates.
As Philippines monitors situation in Israel, FMJ met with Israeli Ambassador Ilan Fluss at Malacañang.
In Facebook post, Presidential Communications Office (PCO) said Fluss briefed FMJ on latest information from Israel and "brutal attacks" being made against his country.
"During their discussion, the President expressed concern for three Filipinos remain unaccounted for in Israel, and ambassador assured President Israel is doing all it can to ensure safety of our nationals," the PCO said.
During briefing of House committee on workers' affairs on situation of OFWs in Israel, DFA and Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) also reported almost 100 Filipinos in Israel and in disputed Gaza Strip in Palestinian territories have requested to be repatriated in wake of escalating tension there.
Of 100 Filipinos, 70 are women married to Palestinians or their children who already want to return to the Philippines.
70 Filipinos are among 137 Filipinos living near Gaza Strip, according to De Vega.
DFA official, however, stressed that this could not easily be done because there is blockade in Gaza and there is no way in or out.
DMW officer-in-charge Hans Leo Cacdac said 23 Filipinos in Israel are currently lined up for repatriation, of whom 14 are caregivers, one is hotel worker while rest are permanent residents and non-OFWs.
In related development, family of missing Negrense caregiver Loreta Villarin Alacre, 49, who was among party revelers attending Supernova Music Festival outside Kibbutz Re'im near Gaza Strip, is pleading to government to exert more efforts in locating her.
In phone interview, victim's elder sister Annabella Alacre said her younger sister, who has been working as caregiver for 15 years in Haifa and Tel Aviv, remains unreachable as of yesterday, after Hamas fighters attacked music festival site on Saturday, she and her fellow caregivers were attending while on their day off.
Day before she went missing, Annabella said they were able to contact her.
While there were reports that she had been taken among captives of Hamas militants, Annabella disclosed it remains unconfirmed.
Noam Solomon, Loreta's employer, has already posted on her social media account about missing caregiver, resident of Sitio Camayan, Brgy. Cadiz Viejo in Cadiz City, Negros Occidental.
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