Philippine Ambassador to Amman Recommends Escalation of Alert Level in Gaza Strip
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Philippine Ambassador to Amman, Jordan, Wilfredo Santos, recently advised the House Committee on Overseas Workers Affairs that he has proposed to Malacañang the elevation of alert level in the Gaza Strip from level 2 to level 3. The announcement came during a briefing held by the House panel on Wednesday, October 11.
“Gaza has been under alert level 2 for quite some time now because of persistent violence inside the territory,” Santos stated during the briefing. He elaborated, “We recommended alert level 3 subject to the approval of the President because Filipinos have already requested for repatriation.”
The recent rocket attacks launched by Hamas rebels from the Palestine-occupied Gaza on Israel over the weekend triggered the latest episode of fighting in the area. Considering the clashes between Hamas and Israel inside Gaza, at least by air, Santos included this as a factor in his recommendation to escalate the alert level.
The escalation to alert level 3 implies voluntary repatriation, but the situation has not yet reached the point of mandatory repatriation at alert level 4, clarified Santos.
Gaza, situated south of Israel on its border with Egypt, is currently home to 70 Filipinos who have expressed their desire to be repatriated. Among them are 31 minors who are children of Filipinos married to Palestinians.
The House panel, chaired by Kabayan Party-list Rep. Ron Salo, addressed the situation and discussed potential actions to ensure the safety and well-being of Filipino citizens in the Gaza Strip.
