MANILA – Two Filipinos were confirmed dead while another supposed fatality is still being verified after militant group Hamas launched a surprise attack in southern portions of Israel over the weekend.
Philippine Ambassador to Israel Junie Laylo said the two fatalities were a 33-year-old female from Pangasinan and a 43-year-old male from Pampanga.
“We did not give further details on their identities as per the request of their families, but these fatalities happened during the day of the attack,” Laylo said at Malacañang’s press conference on Wednesday.
Aside from the two, Laylo said they were in the process of verifying another possible Filipino casualty from the attack, through the victim’s DNA samples.
Laylo also reiterated that repatriating Filipino workers in Israel is not being recommended as the Israel forces have reportedly regained control of the areas attacked by Hamas.
“We are not recommending repatriation because it is only imposed when rule of law in a country has broken down or if the situation has descended into full war,” Laylo said.
Based on the data from the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), there are some 30,000 Filipinos working and residing in Israel, and 137 others in the Gaza Strip.
Following the reported death of two Filipinos, President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. on Wednesday expressed condemnation on the terror attacks in Israel.
“My heart is heavy upon hearing confirmation of the deaths of two Filipinos in Israel. The Philippines condemns these killings and stands firmly against the ongoing terror and violence,” Marcos Jr. said in a statement.
The Chief Executive added that his government will continue in its pursuit for “lasting peace in line with the United Nations resolutions and international laws.”
The government will also give support and aid to overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) and the Filipino community in Israel affected by the armed conflict, Marcos Jr. said.
The death toll in Israel has surged above 900 from the worst attack in the country’s 75-year history.
Gaza officials reported 900 people killed so far on their side, too, while Israel’s army said the bodies of roughly 1,500 militants had been found./PN
