The Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) reported on Wednesday that two Filipinos have been killed in the ongoing conflict between Israel and the Palestinian group Hamas.
Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo took to Twitter to share the tragic news. “The Philippines condemns the killing of two Filipino nationals and all other acts of terrorism and violence resulting from Hamas actions against Israel,” Manalo expressed.
He also stated that the Philippines is willing to cooperate with other nations in finding a durable solution to the Israel-Palestine conflict, keeping in line with relevant United Nations Security Council Resolutions and international law principles.
While Secretary Manalo has not yet given additional details about the two victims, he assured that the Philippine government remains committed to aiding Filipinos in distress in both Israel and Palestine.
Foreign Affairs Undersecretary for Migrant Workers, Eduardo de Vega, shared in a radio interview on Radyo 630 that the deceased Filipinos were part of those previously listed as missing by the agency. He mentioned, “Two of the missing Filipinos have died. We will not release further details until an official announcement possibly later today, possibly by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.”
De Vega also noted that there are currently five Filipinos unaccounted for. Additionally, there have been increasing requests for repatriation, with 50 individuals from the Gaza Strip expressing their wish to return home. However, none from Israel has sought repatriation as of yet.