Tulfo: Philippines supports safe humanitarian aid delivery to Gaza civilians

Senator Erwin Tulfo reiterated the Philippines' support for the full, safe, and unhindered delivery of humanitarian assistance to civilians in Gaza amid the announcement of the Israel-Hamas ceasefire, which took hold on 10 October.

Addressing lawmakers from around the world as head of the Philippine delegation to the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) session on 22 October, Tulfo condemned the armed conflict in the Gaza Strip and Israel that erupted on 7 October 2023.

“We regard these acts of violence against civilians as grave violations of international humanitarian law, wherever they occur,” he said.

“The Philippines welcomes the announcement of the Israel-Hamas peace plan, which represents a monumental step toward de-escalation and breathes fresh hope into all those affected in the region,” he added.

Palestinian health authorities estimate that Israel's two-year-old ground and air campaign against Hamas militants in Gaza has killed more than 67,000 people, with nearly a third of the dead under the age of 18.

Tulfo also called for the cessation of hostilities in the Russia-Ukraine conflict, stressing that the “war has inflicted immense human and economic suffering not only upon those directly involved but upon the entire world.”

“Therefore, we urge all parties to pursue genuine dialogue and diplomacy toward a just and lasting peace, consistent with the United Nations Charter and the principles of international law,” he continued.

The Philippines, he said, remains committed to humanitarian law. Just last August, the country co-hosted the Asia-Pacific Regional Conference on International Humanitarian Law, reaffirming its resolve to strengthen regional cooperation and translate humanitarian principles into action.

“As we seek to serve as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council in 2026, the Philippines pledges to work closely with all nations to uphold the rule of law, advance the peaceful resolution of conflicts, and ensure the protection of civilians in all circumstances,” Tulfo said.

According to a study by the Center for Strategic and International Studies, nearly one million Russian soldiers have been killed or injured since the invasion of Ukraine began.

The senator also lamented worsening global food insecurity, citing that 343 million people face hunger and famine continues to worsen in Sudan, Gaza, South Sudan, and Haiti.

“By mid-2024, more than 123 million people were forcibly displaced as wars and illegal occupations ravaged their homes and livelihoods, often in blatant violation of international humanitarian law,” Tulfo said.

“At the same time, climate-related disasters continue to intensify. The year 2024 was the hottest on record, with 90 million people displaced from high-risk climate zones,” he added.

He underscored that “conflict and climate both threaten our shared humanity. We cannot, and must not, accept this as the norm. Wars and violent conflicts have no place in a civilized world where we live in,” calling for the protection of vulnerable populations, including the elderly, women, and children.

As the Philippines vies for a non-permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council for the 2027–2028 term, Tulfo assured IPU members that the country will champion peace, uphold the rule of law, and protect civilians in all circumstances.

“The Philippines envisions a world where respect for international humanitarian law is not only aspirational but operational; not only occasional but enduring,” he concluded.