FORMER President Rodrigo Duterte agreed with the statement made by Senator Imee Marcos, expressing the view that it is not advisable to take sides in the current conflict involving the terrorist organization Hamas and the country Israel.
During his program, “Gikan sa Masa Para sa Masa,” with Pastor Apollo C. Quiboloy, the former president stressed the importance of the Philippines maintaining a neutral position in this war.
Former Pres. Duterte strongly condemns terrorism by Hamas militants targeting civilians
He also made it clear that the acts of terrorism committed by Hamas against civilians should be strongly condemned.
“Imee is very bright, very smart, you’re correct. We cannot afford to openly support Hamas or Iran for that matter, is supporting Hamas nor can we go for full support of Israel but we can say that they first attacked so we condemn the act but so far as the war is concerned we are neutral, but the terrorism initially committed by the Hamas, Palestinian-Hamas, it is horrible to behead children and rape women.”
“There are limits to your being human in this planet you have the right to speak, move, whatever, travel but barbarism, is never, no country can stomach it even us Filipinos, I condemn the Hamas but there is a time I condemn Israel for occupying the Gaza where it rightfully belongs to Palestinians,” according to Former President Rodrigo Duterte
According to Duterte, Iran also bears responsibility for this war, as they may be funding the terrorist organization Hamas.
“We are not supporting anybody there but we are calling the attentions of the Arabs lalo na Iran, the terrorists come from the Palestine side, if you are the sponsor of Hamas, I do not think that you will just go scot free, you have to answer to the world, how it came about a terrorist organization funded by you, maybe really on your side a terrorist organization which sponsored, which you abetted and aided to be such. To kill people, women, and children, what I can never accept is the children being beheaded. There were pictures. It’s barbarism. I can’t bear to see it,” Duterte added.
Duterte explained that the actions of the Hamas militants are inhumane, but he also clarified that it is not a good idea for Israel to occupy Gaza and make it a part of Israel.
“It is a land taken and occupied during the war that [Israel] did not return [to Palestinians] but your retaliation is just a necessary reaction of a country which has been hurt by terrorism, Hamas is the villain because they killed [civilians] when they suddenly entered Gaza occupied by the Jews who migrated in an area [that Israel] declared as theirs after annexing it during the war. There are [Israeli] settlements called ‘kibbutz’, and the Palestinian terrorist Hamas raided [these areas],” Duterte stated.
“I’m not for the Arabs but it would not be a good idea to occupy Gaza and to make it really a part of Israel,” he added.
“Who started the ruckus now, it’s Hamas. So this is what happened, the terrorist Hamas [is in Gaza] this is why they’re pulverizing and bombing [Gaza].They [Israel] will really destroy [Gaza],” he said.
He also warned that the current conflict could escalate into a full-blown war if the actions of terrorists are not curtailed.
“If that time comes, here, this is their sponsor, Iran which is a Muslim country. So Iran will enter [the fight], as well as Syria, Saudi Arabia— I don’t know if it will, all countries [might enter the fight]. The Americans, the French, and the British will also join, not because they are Jews but it is not good for humanity to exterminate a race. Almost all of the Arab Muslim dream of wiping out the Jews from the face of the earth,” he added.
PH may face oil supply issues due to IDF-Hamas conflict—FPRRD
Duterte expressed concerns about the impact of this ongoing war on the Philippines, especially in terms of oil supply. He highlighted the importance of oil to the country and mentioned that the Philippines relies on oil imports.
“We will have problems if we have no oil. Come to think of it, we are surrounded by nations producing oil not in excessive amounts But we’ve seen Brunei, [a country] facing Sulu, The Kingdom of Brunei, has oil. But [their oil supply] is dwindling, as said by the King of Brunei, then Malaysia has the oil, Indonesia has oil. What about us? because, honestly, if we have oil, we would be better than the rest of them. And development-oriented Filipinos given the oil as our base for productivity, we wouldn’t have to pay for oil because it’s ours. Oil is expensive.”
“So we can build buildings, build more cars, as I’ve said, we’re better than them. I believe that Filipinos are [better]— It’s not just that I simply believe in it— I hold it as an article of faith that Filipinos are the best,” Duterte stated.
The ongoing conflict has already resulted in the loss of over four thousand lives in Israel and the Gaza Strip.
