Metro Manila, Philippines– The Philippine embassy in Tel Aviv and the Filipino community there marked the first anniversary of the tragic October 7 terrorist attacks in Israel.
They remembered the 1,200 victims, including four Filipinos – Paul Vincent Castelvi, Loreta Alacre, Angelyn Aguirre, and Grace Cabrera – on Monday. “We remember and pay tribute to their lives. May their memories be a blessing forever,” said the embassy in a statement. The Philippine government also calls for the release of hostages and a peaceful resolution of the conflict in the region.
Security advisory issued
As tensions in the Middle East continue, the Philippine embassy has issued a warning, advising Filipinos in Israel to avoid certain areas for security reasons. In an advisory, the embassy mentioned areas to steer clear of:
+ Jerusalem: Temple Mount, Damascus Gate, Herod’s Gate, Al Wad Road, Musrara Road, and East Jerusalem
+ West Bank
+ Areas near the borders of Gaza and Lebanon
+ Golan Heights
+ Locations close to military installations, power, and water facilities
The embassy also discouraged Filipinos from visiting crowded places like malls and markets for non-essential purposes and warned against attending large gatherings such as concerts, rallies, and festivals. “Sa unang senyales ng panganib, lumikas kaagad at tumungo sa ligtas na lugar [At the first sign of danger, evacuate immediately and head to a safe place],” the advisory stated.
