At A Glance
- Philippine Ambassador to Amman, Jordan Wilfredo Santos told the House Committee on Overseas Workers Affairs that he has recommended to Malacañang the escalation of alert level in the Gaza Strip from alert level 2 to 3.
President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. (Screenshot from YouTube)
Philippine Ambassador to Amman, Jordan Wilfredo Santos told the House Committee on Overseas Workers Affairs that he has recommended to Malacañang the escalation of alert level in the Gaza Strip from alert level 2 to 3.
"Gaza has been under alert level 2 for quite some time now because of persistent violence inside the territory," Santos said during a briefing held by the House panel Wednesday, Oct. 11.
"We recommended alert level 3 subject to the approval of the President because of--Filipinos have already requested for repatriation," he said.
Hamas rebels from the Palestine-occupied Gaza launched rocket attacks on Israel over the weekend, triggering the latest episode of fighting in the area.
Santos said that another factor in his recommendation for alert level escalating was the "clashes between Hamas and Israel inside Gaza, at least by air".
"Alert level 3 is voluntary repatriation. We are not yet at alert level 4 for mandatory repatriation," explained the envoy.
Gaza sits south of Israel on its border with Egypt.
It was learned during the panel briefing that 70 Filipinos from Gaza have expressed desire to be repatriated. The figure includes 31 minors who are children of Filipinos with their Palestinians spouses.
The House panel is chaired is Kabayan Party-list Rep. Ron Salo.