As Association of Southeast Asian Nations is poised to issue a statement on its stand on the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas militants, the Philippines expressed profound sadness by the bombing of Al-Ahli Arab Hospital in Gaza, which killed hundreds of innocent civilians, adding to the growing list of casualties in the Israel-Hamas war.
The Department of Foreign Affairs on Wednesday night called on the warring parties to protect civilians, saying all parties involved “should do their utmost” to do so in times of war and conflict.
“The Philippines is profoundly saddened over the recent bombing of the Al Ahli Arab Hospital in Gaza,” DFA said in a statement.
“We grieve for the hundreds of innocent lives lost in this tragic incident, non-combatants which include medical practitioners, children, the wounded, and displaced individuals who only sought shelter at the facility,” it added.
The Philippine government said it is supporting the efforts of the United Nations to provide humanitarian relief in the conflict areas, as fighting between the two sides continues is already severely affecting the civilian population.
Israel declared war against Hamas militants, who control the Palestinian territory of Gaza, after the latter made a surprise attack on the Jewish state on Oct. 7.
DFA Undersecretary Eduardo Jose de Vega said, in a press conference, that the Philippines was putting its trust in the Israeli government to ensure the safety of the Filipino people.
“We’re confident in the promise that they would protect Filipinos,” de Vega said.
Meanwhile, the ASEAN will soon issue a statement on its stand on the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas militants.
DFA Undersecretary for Bilateral Relations and Bilateral Affairs Ma. Theresa Lazaro said that the 10-member regional bloc will release a statement possibly within the day, or on Thursday.
This came after Indonesia initiated the move for the group to issue a statement based on its capacity as the current chair of ASEAN.
Lazaro did not provide much details about the statement, but said the bloc would issue a condemnation on issues “only limited to terrorism and violence.”
Meanwhile, she said, the Philippine government was also concerned about the developments in the ongoing Israel-Hamas war.
“This is a concern not only of us, by the Philippines, but even whole of ASEAN,” she said.
Leaders from ASEAN and the Gulf Cooperation Council are also expected to raise their concerns on the developments in the Middle East once they discuss regional and international issues during the ASEAN-GCC Summit on Oct. 20.