End suffering and starvation in Gaza, Philippines says at UN assembly

The Philippines has joined the growing international clamor for Israel to immediately cease its devastating attacks on Gaza, which has killed tens of thousands of civilians, including women and children, and has set off a man-made famine in the Palestinian enclave.

"We must end the suffering of millions who live in starvation and fear in Gaza," Philippine Foreign Affairs Secretary Theresa Lazaro said in her address to the United Nations General Assembly in New York.

Reflecting Manila's frustration with the ongoing bombardment and restrictions on access to life-saving humanitarian aid, such as food and water, Lazaro said the worsening humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza must stop.

"Ceasefires must hold. Humanitarian access must be restored without restrictions. Children, women, and innocent civilians must be saved from further violence. Healing must begin," she said in her speech delivered before members of the world body on Saturday (Sunday in Manila).

Lazaro reiterated the Philippines' long-held position that a "two-State solution is the only viable diplomatic solution for sustainable peace."

The current conflict in Gaza began when Hamas-led militants attacked southern Israel on October 7, 2023, killing about 1,200 and taking more than 250 hostages. Around 50 hostages are still being held, according to reports. Israel’s offensives in Gaza since October 2023 has killed more than 65,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza health officials, triggering alarm and anger from many countries, including Israel's former supporters, such as France and the United Kingdom, who now both recognize Palestine as a state.

"We embarked on a peace that works not only for the powers of that day but also for all of humanity, for all time," said Lazaro. "We forged, through the Charter, a covenant of just and equitable peace."

Ukraine, other conflicts

She also sought an end to the war in Ukraine. Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine has brought Europe in its worst security crisis since World War II.

"We must end the conflict in Ukraine. A just peace is only possible with respect for Ukraine’s sovereignty, independence, unity, and territorial integrity," Lazaro said.

Manila, which is facing aggression by China in the West Philippine Sea, has also been a strong advocate of the rule of law, consistently calling for adherence to the UN Charter and Law of the Sea convention.

Manila's top diplomat also said nations "must double down to address humanitarian crises around the world" and look at their roots and invest n durable solutions.  

"We must protect and assist displaced populations in Sudan, Syria, Afghanistan, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the Sahel region, of the Rohingyas and in many other parts of the world," she said.

As of June this year, the UN reported 40,000 cases of violations against children in armed conflict worldwide, the highest recorded in 30 years. 

"This is unconscionable. We owe our children peace," the Philippine diplomat said.

Threats to global peace and security, she said, "call on the United Nations, particularly the Security Council, to make bold decisions."

Lazaro said this is a challenge that the Philippines "is ready to rise up to" as Manila seeks a non-permanent seat in the powerful Security Council for the term 2027 to 2028.

"We look ahead to the solemn honor of serving this body. The Philippines is committed to contribute to the Security Council in a manner that takes into account the views and concerns of the general UN membership and other principal organs of the United Nations," she said.

"We recognize the weight of the responsibility of the Security Council. When it acts for the interest of humanity, it is a fulcrum of change, a force for good, and a bastion of hope for populations trapped in hopeless situations." — BM, GMA Integrated News