'It pains us deeply': Salo reacts to death of 2 Pinoy in Israel-Hamas conflict
At A Glance
- Kabayan Party-list Rep. Ron Salo issued a message of condolence on Wednesday, Oct. 11 to the families of the two Filipinos who were reportedly killed amid the war between Israeli forces and Hamas rebel fighters.
Kabayan Party-list Rep. Ron Salo (Facebook)
Kabayan Party-list Rep. Ron Salo issued a message of condolence on Wednesday, Oct. 11 to the families of the two Filipinos who were reportedly killed amid the war between Israeli forces and Hamas rebel fighters.
"With a heavy heart, I extend my deepest condolences to the families and loved ones of our fellow Filipinos who lost their lives in the ongoing conflict between Israel and Palestine," said Salo, who works closely with overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in his capacity as chairman of the House Committee on Overseas Workers Affairs.
"Their tragic passing pains us deeply, and our thoughts and prayers are with their grieving families," he said.
The veteran lawmaker said the unfortunate incident "underscores the urgency of our response".
"We must take immediate and decisive steps to address the escalating situation in Israel and Gaza and ensure the safety of our [OFWs] and their families.
"In light of this, I reiterate my call for the creation of a dedicated Crisis Management and Response Task Force. This task force will closely monitor the situation and implement a swift and comprehensive response, ensuring the safety and welfare of our kababayans caught in the crossfire and providing the necessary support and assistance for their immediate evacuation and repatriation when needed," he said.
"The hardships and sacrifices faced by our OFWs in conflict areas are incomprehensible. We can only admire their resiliency, and at the same time, assure them that the government is always ready to support them in this time of need," Salo said.
"We must also emphasize the importance of upholding international humanitarian law to protect the rights and dignity of civilians in conflict zones, as stated in the Geneva Conventions," added the solon, who is a lawyer.
"The safety of innocent lives should be of paramount concern, and we will exert all efforts to ensure this," he said.