Manila to aid Malaysians detained by Israeli authorities

Philippine Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto Romulo said on Thursday that he has instructed the Philippine Embassy in Tel Aviv to provide consular assistance to 12 Malaysian nationals who were detained by Israeli authorities following the attack on the Freedom Flotilla in the Gaza Strip May 31.

Romulo asked its officials in Israel to provide assistance to these Malaysian nationals upon the request of their government.

In a note verbale sent to the Philippine Embassy in Kuala Lumpur, the Malaysian government requested the country to provide consular assistance in accordance with the agreement on " Assistance by ASEAN Missions in Third Countries to Nationals of ASEAN Member Countries in Conflict/Crisis Situations." Malaysia does not have diplomatic relations with Israel.

"The embassy is in constant communication with the Malaysian Embassy in Amman, Jordan throughout the crisis," Romulo said.

The 12 Malaysian nationals were onboard the Turkish ship Mavi Marmara, which was part of the Freedom Flotilla that was conveying humanitarian assistance to Gaza.

The Malaysians were already deported to Jordan and the Philippine embassy in Amman is coordinating closely with the Malaysian mission there on the condition of said nationals.

Israel drew international condemnation after its soldiers stormed the flotilla in international waters on Monday that resulted to fierce clashes, killing nine Turkish activists trying to bring in aid to Palestinians.

Source: Xinhua