President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. recently met with two Filipino migrant workers who were caught up in the Israel-Hamas war. During their meeting in Malacañang on Friday, Marcos expressed his relief that they were back home and wished them a Merry Christmas. He acknowledged the traumatic experience they had endured.
One of the workers, Jimmy Pacheco, had been working as a caregiver in Israel when he was held hostage by Hamas in the Gaza Strip for over 40 days. He was eventually released on November 24 and arrived in the Philippines on December 18. Pacheco was one of the two Filipinos abducted by the Palestinian militant group during its October 7 rampage in southern Israel, which resulted in the deaths of over 1,000 people.
The other worker, Camille Jesalva, also a caregiver, became a hero in Israel after she refused to leave her 95-year-old patient, Nitza Hefetz, during the attack. They were living in the Nirim Kibbutz on the Gaza-Israel border when several Hamas fighters entered their home and robbed Jesalva of the money she had been saving for her planned vacation in the Philippines. Both Pacheco and Jesalva were later rescued by troops from the Israel Defense Forces.
In addition to Pacheco and Jesalva, two more Filipinos and their Palestinian relatives recently crossed from Gaza to Egypt with the assistance of the Philippine Embassy in Cairo. The embassy team, led by Camaloden Guro, provided support to ensure their safe passage. The Filipinos left Cairo on Thursday and are expected to arrive in Manila on Saturday.
According to Philippine Ambassador to Cairo Ezzedin Tago, as of December 22, a total of 122 Filipinos have left Gaza for Egypt. Currently, there are 137 Filipinos remaining in Gaza, many of whom are married to Palestinians. Those with Palestinian spouses have been allowed to leave through the Rafah crossing.
Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Eduardo de Vega emphasized that the Gaza repatriates would not be treated as overseas Filipino workers upon their return to the country. Instead, they are considered migrants in the state of Palestine. As such, they will receive a different set of assistance and support from the government. The Department of Foreign Affairs will collaborate with the Department of Social Welfare and Development and the Department of the Interior and Local Government to ensure the repatriates from Gaza receive the necessary aid.
Tragically, four Filipinos have lost their lives in the conflict. The government continues to prioritize the safety and well-being of Filipino citizens affected by the war, providing assistance and support to those in need.
The meeting between President Marcos Jr. and the Filipino migrant workers serves as a reminder of the challenges faced by overseas Filipino workers and the importance of their safe return to their home country. The government’s commitment to supporting and assisting these individuals is commendable, and efforts to ensure their well-being and successful reintegration into society are crucial.
Source: The Manila Times
