Pangasinan 3rd district Rep. Maria Rachel Arenas (Facebook)

Pangasinan 3rd district Rep. Maria Rachel Arenas expressed sadness Thursday, Oct. 12 over the death of her fellow Pangasinense due to the ongoing conflict between Israeli forces and Hamas rebel fighters. 

"I strongly condemn the pointless killing of two innocent Filipinos caught in the fierce fighting between Israel and Hamas. This senseless violence must immediately stop to avoid further bloodshed and loss of life," Arenas said in statement.

​"To the families of those who were killed, one of which was my very own kababayan from Pangasinan, I express my most heartfelt sympathies to you," said the lady solon, who chairs the House Committee on Foreign Affairs. 

"I know that you feel so much pain especially that your love ones where tragically taken away from you while trying to find safety and escape the combat zone. This is especially heartbreaking since they have nothing to do with this retched conflict," she said. 

At any rate, Arenas assured the families of the victims that "your government is here and ready to assist and reach out to you in every possible way". 

As a parting shot, the foreign affairs panel chairperson gave this message to the "instigators of the hostilities" in Israel and Gaza Strip. 

"I have nothing but contempt for your actions and I pray that you will be soon held accountable and be brought to justice. The world has no place for people like you," she said.