MANILA, Philippines — Vice President Sara Duterte on Thursday urged Filipinos to clamor for a ceasefire in the Middle East.
Duterte, who is the Philippines’ current caretaker while President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is in Saudi Arabia, said that she was one with Filipinos and the international community in expressing concern over the worsening conflict in the Middle East.
READ: Sara Duterte is country’s caretaker while Marcos is in Saudi Arabia
“Ako’y nanawagan sa aking mga kapwa Pilipino na ipahayag ang isang tigil-putukan at dalhin ang usapin ng kapayapaan sa mesa, at ating ipanawagan ang pagkakaisa ng mga partido upang maglabas ng kolektibong pananawagan para sa pangmatagalang kapayapaan,” she said in a video posted on her Facebook page.
(I am calling upon my fellow Filipinos to call for a ceasefire and to bring peace talks to the table, and let us call for unity among parties so that there can be a collective call for long-term peace.)
Duterte did not specify if she was referring to the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas. INQUIRER.net has reached out to the Office of the Vice President for clarification.
The Vice President, who is also the country’s Education secretary, said that children are the most affected by wars.
“Ang patuloy na kaguluhan ay may malaking epekto hindi lamang sa kaligtasan at seguridad ng Pilipino na naninirahan sa apektadong lugar, kung hindi na rin pati sa ga pamilya nila sa Pilipinas na umaasa sa kanila sa pinansyal na suporta,” said Duterte.
(The continued conflict will have a major effect on not only the safety and security of Filipinos living in affected areas but also on their families in the Philippines who are relying on their financial support.)
Duterte also warned the public of possible hardships that may come with such wars, including food security.
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