VP Duterte urges Filipinos to call for ceasefire in Middle East

Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, October 20) — Vice President Sara Duterte on Thursday urged Filipinos to call for a ceasefire as war rages in the Middle East.

Duterte, who's also the education secretary, said Filipinos should not take sides because everyone loses in a war, especially children.

«Ako ay nananawagan sa aking kapwa Pilipino na ipahayag ang isang tigil putukan at dalhin ang usapin ng kapayapaan sa mesa,» she said in a video posted on Facebook.

[Translation: I urge fellow Filipinos to call for a ceasefire and bring the issue to the peace table.]

«Ating ipanawagan ang pagkakaisa ng mga partido upang maglabas ng kolektibong pananawagan para sa pangmatagalang kapayapaan,» she added.

[Translation: Let's seek unity of the parties to issue a collective call for long-term peace.]

The vice president said the war inflicts harm not only those Filipinos living in affected areas but also their families left in the Philippines who are relying on them for financial support.

She also warned of possible hardships caused by the unrest including food security.

Duterte did not specifically mention Israel and Palestinian militant group Hamas – who have been fighting in Gaza for several days already.

As of Thursday, the Department of Foreign Affairs confirmed that at least four Filipinos have died in the escalating conflict.