Filipino fatalities in Israel-Hamas conflict rise to three – DFA
Smoke rises following Israeli airstrikes in Rafah, southern Gaza Strip on Thursday, October 12, 2023. (AP Photo/Hatem Ali)
MANILA, Philippines — The number of Filipino fatalities in the ongoing conflict in Israel has risen to three, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) confirmed on Friday.
DFA Undersecretary Eduardo de Vega offered no additional details except to note that this verified information brings to three the number of Filipino fatalities since Hamas launched a surprise attack on Israel on October 7.
Senator Raffy Tulfo, meanwhile, pledged to assist in the speedy repatriation of OFWs who signified their willingness to return to the Philippines amid the raging skirmish between Israel and the militant group Hamas.
He also promised to help find jobs for them in the Philippines.
“I will also ensure that the government can provide assistance to the affected Filipino communities in Israel to ensure their safety, including speeding up the repatriation of OFWs who have expressed their intention to return home to the Philippines,” Tulfo said in a statement written in a mix of English and Filipino.
READ: Israeli diplomat: Hamas is a terror group, Hamas is not Palestine
“My office and I will also contact the government to ensure that the affected OFWs are given job opportunities in the Philippines if they cannot return to their workplaces in Israel,” he added.
The government earlier confirmed the death of two Filipino workers in Israel due to the war.
Media reports indicated that Pangasinan-born nurse Angelyn Aguirre refused to abandon her 70-year-old patient even though she had the chance to flee for her own safety. The 33-year-old Filipina reportedly took refuge in a bomb shelter together with her elderly patient as Hamas fighters swooped into Israel in a coordinated air, sea, and land assault. Both Aguirre and the patient were later discovered brutally killed.
On the other hand, 42-year-old Paul Vincent Castelvi from Pampanga was abducted by Hamas before his body was found bringing to three the number of Filipino fatalities in the raging conflict.
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