AT WAR. Billows of smoke rise through the air as Israel strikes on Gaza City on the third day of its Operation Swords of Iron. The Philippine government confirmed on Wednesday (Oct. 11, 2023) that two Filipinos were killed in the war between Israeli forces and the Hamas group. (Photo by Majdi Fathi/Tazpit Press Service)
MANILA – President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. will speak to the wife of one of the two Filipinos killed in the Israel-Hamas conflict to extend his sympathies and offer government assistance, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said Wednesday.
“Last night, in the most difficult phone call in my career, I spoke to the wife of one of the victims to inform her of the sad news and to convey her sympathies. I promised her that the embassy will provide all the necessary assistance she needs,” said Philippines Ambassador to Israel Pedro Laylo Jr., who joined the Palace briefing via Zoom. “The President will also speak to her today to convey his personal condolences and offer additional assistance."
In a statement issued earlier Wednesday, Marcos condemned the killing of the two Filipinos amid the conflict between Israeli forces and the Hamas group.
One of the two Filipinos who died in the conflict is a 36-year-old female from Pangasinan who is working in Israel for six years, while the other one is a 42-year-old male from Pampanga, based on the information of the DFA.
Laylo said the identities of the victims would not be disclosed, “in line with the families’ request for privacy at this very difficult time.”
He said the Philippine government would continue to work closely with Israeli authorities and local contacts to find the three Filipinos who are still missing.
“Despite sporadic rocket attacks and the distressing images you see in the news and on social media, this depicts only certain areas in Israel, particularly the areas surrounding the Gaza Strip,” Laylo said.
“The Israeli military has retaken control of the communities infiltrated by the Hamas militants. Rocket attacks have considerably lessened, except in southern Israel. People can move freely in areas far from the combatant zone,” he added.
In a Facebook post, the PCO shared several photos of Marcos’ meeting with Israeli Ambassador to the Philippines Ilan Fluss at Malacañan Palace in Manila on Wednesday afternoon.
During the meeting, Fluss gave Marcos an update about the “brutal” attacks against Israel, according to the PCO post.
Fluss also assured Marcos of Israel’s commitment to ensure people’s safety amid the conflict, after the President expressed concern over the remaining Filipinos that remain unaccounted for in the war-torn country.
“The Philippines thanks Israel and more specifically, the Israeli Defence Forces, the IDF, for rescuing over 20 Filipinos and bringing them to safety,” the PCO said. “The President assured Amb. Fluss that the Philippines will always stand with Israel in this war against the inhuman terrorist attacks by Hamas.”
AFP ready to evacuate Filipinos
Meanwhile, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) expressed readiness to conduct an evacuation operation for Filipinos affected by the Israel-Hamas conflict.
In the same Palace briefing, AFP spokesperson Col. Medel Aguilar said the military has come up with a plan for the possible evacuation of distressed Filipinos.
“This will be a whole-of-nation approach because what is important for us is the safety of our countrymen there in the conflict area,” Aguilar said. “With the guidance of our President, His Excellency Ferdinand Romualdez Marcos Jr., the Armed Forces of the Philippines is prepared to execute evacuation operation, should there be a need for that.”
Aguilar said two C-130 aircraft and one C-295 aircraft would be deployed in case the AFP is tapped to assist affected Filipinos.
He added that the AFP has identified the Adana Sakirpasa Airport in Turkey as the “temporary safe haven where we can bring our countrymen, should there be an escalation of hostility."
“From there, we will be shuttling Filipinos who are affected by the conflict,” Aguilar said. “Aside from that, we also identified airports of embarkation, two airports, where we consolidate those who will be evacuated. And that will be now the mode of transport. We will be using at least two C-130 and one C-295, should this plan be executed.”
Aguilar was referring to the Haifa Airport and the Ben Gurion Airport in Israel.
He clarified that the plan would only be executed, depending on the “recommendation or instruction coming from other government authorities.”
“We are ready because that is the primary concern of our President,” Aguilar said.
DFA Undersecretary Eduardo de Vega, who also joined the Palace briefing, noted that to date, no Filipino has requested repatriation from Israel.
De Vega, however, said the number of Filipinos seeking repatriation from Gaza “keeps increasing,” with 70 expressing their intent to return home.
PAF gearing for possible repatriation flights
The Philippine Air Force (PAF), meanwhile announced that it has prepared two aircraft to help in the possible evacuation of Filipinos in Israel.
"With swift and meticulous planning and preparation, a PAF C-130 and a C-295 aircraft with complement aircrew, medical and security personnel are now ready to fly out as soon as directed by higher headquarters," PAF spokesperson Col. Ma. Consuelo Castillo said in a statement.
She added that the combined capacity of both aircraft will be able to transport more than a hundred Filipinos out of Israel’s conflict area in one shuttle.
Castillo said detailed planning is being undertaken in coordination with the government officials in Israel on how to maximize the number of OFWs that can be shuttled out of the danger areas towards nearby safer territories or countries. (with report from Priam Nepomuceno/PNA)
