THE PHILIPPINES on Wednesday welcomed the ceasefire agreement between Israel and Iran, which could potentially end a 12-day war that left hundreds dead in the conflict between the longtime, bitter enemies.
In a statement, Manila’s Foreign Affairs department called the ceasefire between Israel and Iran a “crucial step” towards lasting peace in the Middle East, calling both Jerusalem and Tehran to continue diplomatic engagements to sustain the truce.
“We urge all parties concerned to continue engaging in dialogue and negotiations toward a permanent solution to this issue,” it said in a statement published on X.
US President Donald J. Trump brokered a ceasefire between the two countries on Tuesday, two days after Washington joined in on the conflict by dropping bunker-busting missiles on Iran’s secured nuclear facilities.
Israel launched a surprise air campaign against Iran on June 13, reigniting tensions in the Middle East as it targeted nuclear and ballistic missile facilities as well as top commanders, in what Jerusalem described as an effort to cripple Tehran’s ability to develop nuclear weapons.
The truce, which appeared to be holding, prompted the Department of Foreign Affairs to place Israel and Iran on alert level 3, urging the voluntary repatriation of Filipinos.
There were more than 300 OFWs applying for repatriation from Israel as of June 24, according to the Philippine Embassy in Israel.
In its latest bulletin, it noted 8 Filipinos were wounded, including one critically injured. The other seven have been discharged.
More than 30,000 Filipinos live in Israel, while there are more than 1,000 in Iran. — Kenneth Christiane L. Basilio
