THE Department of Foreign Affairs yesterday said another Filipino was killed in the war between Israel and Hamas militants, bringing to four the total number of Filipino fatalities in the ongoing conflict.
Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo said, “I regret to inform the nation that we have received confirmation from the Israeli government of another Filipino casualty in Israel.”
“Out of respect for the wishes of the family, we shall be withholding the details on the identity of the victim. But we have assured the family of the government’s full support and assistance,” Manalo also said in a post on X, formerly Twitter.
The fatality, according to Undersecretary Eduardo Jose de Vega, was one of three Filipinos earlier reported missing after Hamas fighters attacked the Jewish state on October 7.
“According to their (Israeli government) record or testing, she is one of those who died due to the attack on October 7,” De Vega told Radyo 630 in mixed Filipino and English.
The two others remain missing, he said.
There are around 30,000 Filipinos in Israel, mostly in Tel Aviv and Haifa, working as household staff members and caregivers, as well as in the hotel and service sector industries.
Meanwhile, 137 Filipinos remain trapped in the Hamas-controlled Gaza Strip. The DFA said majority of them have requested repatriation to Manila. Most of the Filipinos in Gaza are married to Palestinian nationals.
The closure of the Rafah border crossing with Egypt has stalled efforts not only of the Philippines but also other nations to evacuate their nationals from Gaza. But reports yesterday quoted US President Joe Biden as saying Egypt has agreed to reopen the Rafah crossing from Egypt to Gaza to allow aid to reach Palestinians. No timeline for the opening was given but the US said it would be in coming days.
De Vega said at least 80 Filipinos are expected to exit through the Rafah border crossing.
“I cannot confirm when but since there is already a reported agreement, most likely it will be very soon. Maybe, within the next 48 hours they will be able to cross the border,” De Vega told radio dzBB in mixed Filipino and English.
De Vega also said the DFA cannot guarantee at this time if the Palestinian spouses of Filipinos will also be allowed to exit Gaza.Armed Forces chief Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr said there is no indication of a spillover to the Philippines of the conflict between Israeli forces and Hamas terrorists.
In a forum organized by the Foreign Correspondents Association of the Philippines, Brawner nevertheless said military commanders have been ordered to be on alert for a possible spillover. He said the fighting is “concerning for us because of the experiences that we have when it comes to terrorism.”
In May 2017, members of the Maute Group attacked Marawi City, leading to a five-month conflict that led to the death of about 1,000 terrorists, 168 soldiers and policemen, and 47 civilians.
“But as we monitor the situation in the country, we are happy to note that so far there are no indications of terrorist groups heeding the call for jihad,” said Brawner.
Last week, former Hamas chief Khaled Meshaal called for protests across the Muslim world in support of the Palestinians. He also urged said people in neighboring countries to join the fight against Israel.
Brawner said there are no foreign terrorists in the country now. There were around 50 monitored in the country after the Marawi siege.
Several terrorists groups are operating in Mindanao, including the Abu Sayyaf Group, the Maute Group, the Daulah Islamiyah and the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters. — With Victor Reyes
