An overseas Filipino worker who was told by her Israeli husband to return to the Philippines amid the violence in Israel was among those who safely landed in Manila on Thursday night.
According to JP Soriano’s report on “24 Oras,” Angeline Perez was welcomed by her child, parents, and other loved ones. Still, her mind remained in Israel.
“Ang hirap din po kasi kahit naman malayo ako, maiisip mo pa rin yung iniwan mo don. Sobrang nakakaiyak po talaga yung mga nangyari sa mga taong nadamay. Kahit po bata-matanda, talagang dinamay nila,” Perez said.
(It’s difficult because even though we’re already far, we still think about those who are left. What happened is tragic. They hurt even the children and the elderly.)
The repatriation of Filipinos stuck in the war-torn country is one of the priorities of the Philippine government but safely transporting them to the airports and borders remains a challenge.
“Ang pinakamahalaga pa rito ang pamahalaan ng Israel ay kasama natin. Hindi nila tayo iniiwan. Mismong ang kanilang military ang naghahanap ng ating mga kababayan,” Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) Administrator Arnell Ignacio said.
(What’s important is that the Israeli government expressed support for us. They didn’t leave us and even their military is helping locate our missing countrymen.)
Three Filipinos have been confirmed dead from the attack of the Palestinian militant group Hamas on Israel over the weekend. They were identified as Loreta Alacre, a domestic helper; Angeline Aguirre, a nurse; and Paul Vincent Castelvi, a 42-year-old caregiver.
Three more Filipino migrant workers were reported missing including Gelienor, who also works as a caregiver in Israel.
“Patagal po ng patagal ‘yung araw na wala siya. Ang hirap po. Naga-antay po kami ng mga anak ko at umaasa din po na makabalik siya ng ligtas,” said Gelienor’s wife Clarice.
(He had been missing for days. It’s hard. We’re waiting for him and hoping he will come back safe.)
Clarice said she saw a man who looked like her husband in a viral video of supposed kidnap victims of the Hamas group but the Philippine Embassy in Israel said they have yet to confirm if the militant group has a Filipino victim.
“I really hope and pray na sana itong mga natitirang ito ay matagpuan na natin,” said Ignacio.
(I really hope and pray we will find the missing OFWs.)
Hamas militants carried out their deadliest attack in Israel’s history on Saturday, when gunmen rampaged through Israeli towns, killing more than 1,000 people and taking scores of hostages to Gaza.
Israel has retaliated with air strikes on Gaza that have razed entire districts as it prepares for a possible ground offensive.
The Philippines on Thursday placed Gaza under Alert Level 3 while Alert Level 2 is raised over Israel.
Israel is home to at least 30,000 Filipino workers, most of them caregivers.
DMW said 22 Pinoys including 19 caregivers and three hotel workers in Israel have requested repatriation so far.
The Philippine government said they are now preparing the flights for the repatriation of affected OFWs in Israel. —NB, GMA Integrated News
