Philippine President Marcos mourns 2 Filipinos killed in Israel-Hamas conflict
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Israeli soldiers on Oct 10 carrying a body in Kfar Azza, a village across the border from Gaza that was attacked by Palestinian gunmen.
PHOTO: NYTIMES
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MANILA – Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr on Wednesday lamented the deaths of two Filipinos in the Israel-Hamas conflict
Mr Marcos made the statement after Philippine Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo earlier confirmed that two Filipinos were killed in the ongoing conflict in Israel.
Philippine Foreign Ministry officials said in a news briefing that the two were a 33-year-old woman and a 42-year-old man. They both died on Saturday as Hamas militants broke out of their strongholds in the Gaza Strip and stormed border towns in southern Israel.
Vice-Consul Patricia Narajos said the ministry received a report about another Filipino who might have died in the conflict.
“This is subject to confirmation by DNA evidence,” she said.
Mr Marcos said in a statement: “My heart is heavy upon hearing confirmation of the deaths of two Filipinos in Israel. The Philippines condemns these killings and stands firmly against the ongoing terror and violence.”
He added that the Philippine government will “remain resolute in the pursuit of lasting peace in line with the United Nations’ resolutions and international laws”.
The statement said the President has given instructions for support to be sent to overseas Filipino workers and the Filipino community
Mr Manalo said in a post on social media platform X that the Philippines “condemns... all other acts of terrorism and violence as a result of Hamas actions against Israel”.
Foreign Undersecretary for Migrant Workers Eduardo de Vega said earlier that five Filipinos were still missing.
Ms Narajos said 26 Filipinos were rescued by Israeli security forces, while 50 others in Gaza had asked to be repatriated.
“In Israel, no one wants to be repatriated yet,” said Mr De Vega.
About 30,000 Filipinos are in Israel, with most living outside the conflict area in the southern region near Gaza. PHILIPPINE DAILY INQUIRER/ASIA NEWS NETWORK
