President Marcos: Cease hostilities, release war hostages

RIYADH — President Marcos joined other leaders from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) in calling for the cessation of hostilities, provision of humanitarian aid, release of hostages and strengthening diplomatic efforts to attain enduring peace in Israel and Palestine.

After exchanging views and expressing grave concerns over the developments in the Middle East during the first ASEAN-GCC Summit here on Friday, the two regional blocs called for peaceful resolution leading to the two-state solution based on the pre-1967 borders in accordance with international law and the relevant UN Security Council resolutions.

They also called on all parties to the conflict to protect civilians, refrain from targeting them and to abide by international humanitarian law, particularly the Geneva Convention and for the immediate and unconditional release of civilian hostages, especially women, children, the sick and the elderly.

The ASEAN and the GCC also expressed support for the initiatives of Saudi Arabia, the European Union and the League of Arab States to revive the Middle East peace process in cooperation with Egypt and Jordan, and resolve the dispute between Israel and its neighbors in accordance with international law and all UN resolutions on this conflict.

Separately, the ASEAN foreign ministers also issued a statement expressing grave concern over the recent escalation of armed conflict in the Middle East.

Marcos has also expressed “deep concern” over the escalation of violence between Israeli forces and Hamas militants that has already left thousands dead, including four Filipinos.

“The Philippines is deeply concerned about the rising number of victims and the safety of all persons, as well as the dire humanitarian consequences of the conflict in Israel and in Gaza,” Marcos said.

Marcos expressed hope that all parties would exert utmost efforts for de-escalation and cessation of hostilities.

Meanwhile, two Filipinos remain unaccounted for in the Israel-Hamas war, according to Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) Administrator Arnell Ignacio.

Ignacio said there were no updates yet on the whereabouts of these