By Wilnard Bacelonia
MANILA – A Senate resolution filed Monday condemned the continued inhumane treatment, deliberate starvation and mass killings of Palestinian civilians in occupied territories, calling for accountability under international humanitarian law and the urgent delivery of humanitarian aid.
Filed as Senate Resolution No. 1366 and authored by Robinhood Padilla, the measure expresses the Senate’s strong condemnation of violations of human rights and international norms, amid worsening conditions in Gaza resulting from sustained Israeli military operations and blockades.
“It is pertinent that we, as a nation, send a strong statement condemning the persistent and systematic killing of innocent lives, destruction of vital infrastructure, and obstruction of access to humanitarian aid, as these constitute grave violations of international humanitarian law,” Padilla said in his resolution.
“The Philippines, as a member of the international community, must not remain silent while these atrocities continue unabated.”
Citing Section 2, Article II of the 1987 Constitution, Padilla emphasized that the Philippines renounces war and upholds peace, justice and the protection of civilians.
He also pointed out that the country ratified the Geneva Conventions of 1949 and helped shape the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which underscores its longstanding commitment to international humanitarian principles.
The resolution referenced data from United Nations (UN) bodies and the World Health Organization (WHO), reporting widespread destruction in Gaza, where 80 percent of commercial facilities and 88 percent of school buildings have been damaged, and only half of hospitals remain partially operational. About 68 percent of roads and croplands have been rendered unusable.
It also cited a blockade since March that has severely restricted the entry of essential supplies such as food, medicine, fuel, and clean water.
Over two million Palestinians are experiencing acute hunger and famine-like conditions, according to the WHO.
Padilla also mentioned the Department of Foreign Affairs’ statement on May 23, urging the “full, safe, rapid and unhindered delivery of humanitarian assistance” to civilians in Gaza.
He noted that as of May 27, over 54,000 Palestinians had been confirmed killed, including 17,400 children, while more than 123,000 had been injured since the start of the conflict.
The resolution further cited a deadly incident on June 1 to 3 in which at least 60 Palestinians were killed while attempting to collect food from a humanitarian facility.
Following the incident, the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation suspended its operations.
UN Human Rights chief Volker Türk was also quoted, warning that Palestinians face an impossible choice: Die from starvation or risk being killed while trying to access the meager food that is being made available.
The Senate resolution concludes with a formal condemnation of these acts and a renewed call for respect for human rights, accountability for violations of international humanitarian law, and the immediate and unhindered delivery of humanitarian aid. (PNA)
