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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Mark Villar to DFA: Exhaust all means to help Filipinos in Israel

Mark Villar to DFA: Exhaust all means to help Filipinos in Israel

Published Oct 16, 2023 10:11 am

Senator Mark A. Villar on Monday, Oct. 16, urged all concerned government agencies of the country to exhaust all available means to secure the safety of Filipinos in Israel and Gaza.

In a statement, Villar expressed his utmost concern regarding the safety of Filipino migrants in the areas of conflict.

Currently, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) already raised the conflict to Alert Level 4 over Israel and the Gaza Strip due to the heightened airstrikes and a deepening crisis. This level signifies the mandatory evacuation of Filipinos from the areas.

However, DFA Undersecretary Eduardo de Vega stated that the “mandatory evacuation” does not mean that they can help Filipinos inside the area as there is “no way in and no way out” of Gaza because of the complete siege of the area, but they are ready to do so once opportunity permits.

“Considering this pronouncement from the DFA that there is no way in and no way out, it should still be our utmost priority to heed the call for help of the Filipinos in Israel and the Gaza Strip,” Villar said.

“Let us exhaust all diplomatic means possible to have our resources be readily available for the affected Filipinos so that we could help them as soon as the situation permits,” he added.

The DFA reported that there are two Filipinos killed amid the fighting between Israel and Hamas— one is a 42-year-old male from Pampanga who got abducted by Hamas and the other is a 33-year-old female from Pangasinan. The Philippine Embassy in Tel Aviv reports another Filipino killed as the conflict intensifies.

“These reported deaths of Filipinos are enough for us to consider the conflict as an urgent concern for our countrymen in the areas of conflict. I am urging the Philippine government to utilize all available means and resources to locate the missing Filipinos, safely repatriate all affected Filipinos, and exhaust all available diplomatic channels for the release of abducted Filipinos, particularly those sealed off in the enclave,” Villar said.

At present, DFA reports that there are over 30,000 Filipinos residing and working in Israel while there are 150 Filipinos in the Gaza Strip. The agency also recorded at least 92 Filipinos in the Gaza Strip who signified their intention to be repatriated.

Further, the Philippine Embassy in Tel Aviv has received reports of Filipinos allegedly kidnapped by Hamas while others remain missing and unreachable through their mobile numbers and social media accounts.

Related Tags

Israel Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) senator mark villar Gaza Strip
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