By Mark Vincent A. Durano and Shayne Elizabeth T. Flores

Multi-sectoral progressive groups slammed the Philippine government’s incapability to help stranded Overseas Filipino Workers (OFW) at collusion in the Middle East during the one year commemoration of Operation Al-Aqsa Flood for Palestinian resistance against the United States (US) and Israel along Roxas Boulevard yesterday, October 5.

The operation was part of the armed Palestinian struggle against Israeli occupation and colonialism, prompting Israel’s retaliation.

The local mobilization, through the Global Day of Action, was barred by the Philippine National Police at the intersection in Kalaw Avenue near the U.S. Embassy where the program should have taken place.

In her solidarity speech, Migrante International Deputy Secretary-General Josie Pingkihan condemned the government’s lack of initiative to evacuate OFW caught up in the Middle Eastern unrest.

“Bakit wala pang mga evacuation center, walang [mga] flight samantalang ang ibang mga bansa ay nakalikas na ng kanilang mga kababayan? Kahit impormasyon lang para makaligtas ang mga kababayan, wala. Pabaya at walang puso ang gobyernong Marcos Jr. para sa ating mga kababayan sa Middle East (Why are there still no evacuation centers nor flights, when other countries have already evacuated their citizens? There isn’t even any information on how our citizens can stay safe. The Marcos Jr. regime does not care about our people in the Middle East),” she stated.

As of writing, Al Jazeera has reported at least 41,788 people killed in Israeli attacks–16,500 of which are children, 96,794 people injured, and more than 10,000 missing since October 7 last year.

The protest also slammed Israel’s expansion of its warzone in nearby Middle Eastern countries, such as Iran, Lebanon, and Syria.

According to CNN, the Lebanese health ministry recorded more than 1,400 deaths, 7,500 injuries, and more than 1 million displaced people due to airstrikes by Israel in less than three weeks.

The deputy secretary-general said that around 11,000 Filipinos are trapped in Lebanon amid the strikes.

On the other hand, three civilians have been killed while nine were wounded by Israeli strikes on Syria’s capital, Damascus.

Pingkihan also questioned the existence of bureaucratic procedures hindering undocumented immigrants from returning to the Philippines.

“Hinihingi pa ng embassy ang pasaporte at dokumento ng mga OFW pero paano ‘yun gagawin ng mga undocumented na mga OFW na iniwan na ng kanilang mga amo, dala-dala ang kanilang mga pasaporte? (The embassy is still asking for the OFW’s passports and documents, but how about the undocumented OFWs who have been abandoned and had their passports taken by their employers?),” the deputy secretary-general expressed.

Additionally, the Department of Foreign Affairs has yet to issue an advisory to assist their evacuation.

Pingkihan also denounced President Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos Jr. for further risking Filipinos by conspiring with the US, claimed to be perpetuating the genocide alongside Israel.

Meanwhile, League of Filipino Students (LFS) National Chairperson Lloyd Manango also said that other countries stand with Palestine in mutual resistance of imperialist forces.

“Ito ay pandaigdigang kilusan dahil hindi lang ito laban ng mga Palestino, ito ay laban din ng mga Pilipino at lahat ng mamamayan sa buong daigdig na lumalaban sa imperyalismo (This is an international movement because this is not just a fight of Palestinians, this is also a fight of Filipinos and all citizens in the whole world fighting for against imperialism)” he stated.

Manango also emphasized that the Philippine government is also funding the genocide in Israel.

“Ang Pilipinas ang tumatanggap ng 12 percent ng arms export ng Israel. Ang Israel ang Top 2 supplier ng armas ng Armed Forces of the Philippines at ng Philippine National Police kaya nakikita po natin all-out sa pagdepensa itong mga tutang nasa likod ko sa kanilang imperyalistang amo. Habang naghihirap ang mga mamamayang Pilipino, dito ginagastos ang milyon-milyon sa pondo ng taumbayan,” he expressed.

Notably, the police in the barricade babbled puppy sounds as response.

Moreover, the LFS chairperson claimed that both the US and Israel aim to exploit the Middle East’s natural resources and territory.

“Alam po natin ang dahilan kung bakit dinedepensahan ng imperyalistang US ang mga bansang ito, gusto n’ya ang langis ng Middle East, gusto n’ya ang teritoryo ng Middle East para lalo pang palakasin ang kanyang sariling kapangyarihan (We know why the imperialist US defends countries, they want oil from the Middle East, they want the territory of Middle East to strengthen their own power),” Manango added.

In the middle of the program, the protesters symbolically lit the flag of the US into flames in resistance of imperialist forces against Palestine and the Philippines.

The program was cut short due to worsening forces added by the PNP.

The demonstration also called for the Philippine government to cut ties with the US and Israel as well as decried the continuous militarization and urbanization in indigenous communities.

(Photo by Justine Jaerigg/FEU Advocate)