Kamanggagawa Partylist Representative Elijah “Eli” San Fernando has filed a resolution in the House of Representatives urging the Philippine government to formally join “The Hague Group,” a coalition of nations seeking accountability for alleged atrocities committed by Israel in Gaza.

The Hague Group, established in January 2025 and composed of Bolivia, Colombia, Cuba, Honduras, Malaysia, Namibia, Senegal, and South Africa, has taken coordinated legal action before the International Court of Justice (ICJ) to address what it describes as violations of international law and acts of genocide in Gaza.

San Fernando emphasized the Philippines’ moral and legal responsibility to act, citing the country’s commitment to the 1948 Genocide Convention and Republic Act No. 9851, which mandates the prevention and punishment of genocide and other grave breaches of international humanitarian law.

“Under our own laws, we are bound to prevent and punish genocide,” San Fernando said. “We cannot stay silent while almost two million Palestinians, many of them children, are being slaughtered, starved, and displaced.”

In an undelivered privilege speech, San Fernando referenced United Nations figures indicating that since October 2023, at least 67,000 Palestinians have been killed, 168,700 injured, and 1.9 million displaced. He likened the scale of the crisis to entire Philippine cities being wiped out, comparing the death toll to the population of Pateros and the number of displaced to that of Manila.

The resolution also highlights the Philippines’ longstanding support for Palestinian rights, including its vote in favor of a 2023 UN resolution calling for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza. San Fernando argued that joining The Hague Group aligns with the principles enshrined in the 1987 Constitution and the country’s international treaty obligations.

“Hindi pwedeng maging bulag o pipi ang gobyerno sa harap ng malawakang pagpatay at inhustisya,” he said, calling on the government to act in solidarity with the Palestinian people.

San Fernando drew historical parallels, recalling how the Philippines, under President Manuel Quezon, welcomed Jewish refugees fleeing Nazi persecution. He said that same moral clarity is needed today.

“Hindi kailanman magiging neutral ang isang bayan na may konsensya,” he added. “Ang laban nila ay laban nating lahat.”

He concluded by asserting that the Philippines’ potential alignment with The Hague Group is not about political posturing but a reaffirmation of national conscience and historical responsibility.

“The Philippines must stand with Gaza today,” San Fernando said. “History will not look at us kindly if we refuse to act.”