Atin Ito First Filipino Community Newspaper in Ontario
THE Embassy of Israel in Manila condemned the acts of terrorism by Hamas militant groups toward innocent Israelis and other nationalities, including two Filipinos who were killed in the ongoing conflict.
In a statement on Wednesday, the embassy expressed its “deepest sympathies to the families of the two overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) who were confirmed dead due to the Hamas terror attacks in Israel.”
“We offer prayers as well to those who are still missing. Israel will continue to defend itself against Hamas,” the embassy added.
Two Filipinos were killed as a result of Hamas “actions against” Israel, Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo said on Wednesday.
Israeli Ambassador to Manila Ilan Fluss said his government is “committed for the well-being” of all Filipinos living in Israel amid the reported abduction of some by Hamas.
“We know there are seven Filipinos who haven’t been accounted for yet. So, we are also very much worried about their well-being,” Fluss said during a Bagong Pilipinas Ngayon interview.
The envoy said he raised the reported kidnapping of Filipinos to Israeli Foreign Minister Eli Cohen. “I did ask him specifically what can we do in order to help and support the OFWs?”
“And the answer is very clear: the Israeli government is committed for the well-being of all Filipinos and all other nationals that are living in Israel,” he said on Tuesday.
“We’re committed to them the same as we are committed to the well-being of Israeli citizens. We do not discriminate,” Fluss stressed.
He added, “They get the same protection and they should follow the same protocol. They live with us and among us.”
The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on Tuesday night said the Philippine Embassy in Israel is looking into reports of the “likely death of one Filipina” who was earlier reported missing in one of the attacked kibbutzim (farm).
The embassy’s labor attache and welfare officer are “on the ground to assist the sister of the said Filipina in confirming this with the Israel Police,” DFA spokesman Ma. Teresita Daza said in a statement.
Manalo turned to X (formerly twitter) to express the Philippines’ condemnation of the death of unidentified Filipinos.
“The Philippines condemned the killing of two Filipino nationals and all other acts of terrorism and violence as a result of Hamas actions against Israel,” Manalo wrote on X. — Bernadette E. Tamayo
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Credit belongs to: www.manilatimes.net
