The Department of National Defense (DND) is wary of the possible spillover of violence from sympathizers of Palestine after Islamist militant group Hamas wrought havoc in Israel.

DND Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. said the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) is monitoring potential "copycat" effects among groups that support Hamas in the Philippines.

"We are monitoring possible spillover or copycat effects pero ngayon wala pa kaming nakikita (but we have not yet seen anything so far)," Teodoro said on the sidelines of the launching of the Asia-Pacific Ministerial Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction in Pasay City on Friday, Oct. 13.

The defense chief said that no country is exempted from the threat of terrorism, hence, it is important for the military to always be on alert.

"I mean what I said. Anybody can copy whatever happened in the Middle East. We can call them disruptors or extremists. I mean it always happens. Any country in this part of the world or any part of the world, even in Europe, they are on high alert for the possible effects of this on their security situation," Teodoro said. 

"I mean it’s not only here that things happen, there have been ISIS [Islamic State] spinoffs in France, in UK [United Kingdom], wherever. Terrorism is a possibility anywhere," he added.

Foreign media reported that pro-Palestine groups in Paris, France launched a protest in their country and were dispersed by their police using tear gas, raising fears of a possible spill over of Hamas-Israel violence in other parts of the world.

In the Philippines, Teodoro urged the public to be vigilant and help the military to thwart any attempt for a surprise attack similar to what Hamas did in Israel.

"As much as possible, pinagre-ready natin (we are preparing [the AFP]. But it also means kailangan vigilant din ang communities natin. Kapag may napapansin sila na kakaiba, idulog nila sa authorities (But it also means that the communities should also be vigilant. If they notice something off, they should report it to authorities)," the DND Chief said.

Hamas militants launched a multifront attack from the Gaza Strip in Oct. 7, which has since killed more than 1,500 individuals including two Filipinos, and injured over 3,000 others. Three Filipinos remained unaccounted for.

In response, Israel launched a war against Hamas and made retaliatory attacks.

Repatriation

Meanwhile, Teodoro said the DND is willing to repatriate overseas Filipinos who want to go home due to the prevailing conflict in Israel and Palestine.

"We are ready, willing, and able to facilitate repatriation. That’s the duty not only of the AFP but also the OCD [Office of Civil Defense] actually, the NDRRMC [National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council]," he said.

Last Wednesday, the AFP said that it already crafted an evacuation plan to help bring home overseas Filipinos affected by the war.

Philippine Air Force (PAF) spokesperson Col. Ma. Consuelo Castillo said C-295 and C-130 transport aircraft have been prepared vor deployment for the possible evacuation of distressed 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," Castillo said.

"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," she added.

Terrorist organization

National Security Adviser (NSA) Eduardo Año said that the National Security Council (NSC) will push for the designation of Hamas as a terrorist organization under the Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020, even making it as a priority agenda of the Anti-Terrorism Council (ATC).

This, as Año condemned the "terrorist assault" launched by Hamas on Israel.

"This was a deadly and barbaric terrorist assault on Israel targeting its civilian population and ISrael has every right, as much as any nation, to defend and protect itself from this attack," Año said.

"Together with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., we hope for a swift resilution to this conflict, we pray for the safety of innocent civilians, and we offer our thanks to the Government of Israel for its efforts to protect our citizens," he added.