Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, October 11) — Two Filipinos were killed in the ongoing war between Israel and the militant group Hamas, the Philippine embassy in Israel confirmed Wednesday evening.
In a Malacañang briefing, Philippine Ambassador to Israel Pedro Laylo Jr. said the identities of the two Filipinos will not be disclosed upon the request of their families.
Embassy officials only said the victims were a 33-year-old female from Pangasinan working in Israel for six years, and a 42-year-old male from Pampanga. They were killed when Hamas fighters attacked on Saturday, officials said.
Vice Consul Patricia Narajos said the third reported death will be confirmed through DNA testing.
In a statement on Wednesday, the embassy said four other Filipinos were unaccounted for, while 26 others initially reported missing have been transferred to safe locations. It added that one Filipino was recovering in a hospital after getting wounded during his rescue.
Manalo said the government was committed to cooperate with other nations for the “long-lasting resolution to the conflict, in accordance with pertinent UN Security Council Resolutions and the general principles of international law.”
He said the government will assist Filipinos in conflict areas.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. also expressed grief over the deaths.
“My heart is heavy upon hearing confirmation of the deaths of two Filipinos in Israel,” Marcos said in a statement. “The Philippines condemns these killings and stands firmly against the ongoing terror and violence.”
Laylo said Marcos is set to personally speak with the wife of the 42-year-old male on Wednesday.
Social Welfare Secretary Rex Gatchalian said he ordered the agency’s operations group to locate the families of the two Filipinos.
The DSWD said Gatchalian told Undersecretary Pinky Romualdez to send teams of grief counselors to the bereaved families and extend all possible financial assistance.
In a text message, Philippine Ambassador to Jordan Wilfredo Santos said 70 Filipinos in Gaza have requested repatriation.
READ: PH embassy in Jordan coordinating with Israel, Egypt for possible exit routes
Speaking to CNN Philippines on Tuesday, Migrant Workers officer-in-charge Hans Cacdac said around a tenth of the 30,000 Filipinos in Israel are in conflict areas in the south.
Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo condemned the killings of two Filipino nationals in a social media post Wednesday morning.
