Marcos meets OFWs who survived captivity, attacks on Israel by Hamas
MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. personally met with overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) Jimmy Pacheco and Camille Jesalva after surviving attacks by Palestinian group Hamas in Israel last October 7.
Pacheco and Jesalva, both caregivers, have returned to the Philippines safely. The former arrived last December 18 after 40 days of being held hostage by militants.
"At least you're now home. Also, Merry Christmas. That was truly a heavy experience. I urge you to write down or take a video [narrating your experiene]," said Marcos to the two in Filipino in a release by the Presidential Communications Office last Friday.
"We should do it... everyone who were repatriated. They should recount their story so that everybody would know what they went through. The Israelis, they love us."
Pachecho was one of the two known Pinoys who were held hostage by Hamas during the October 7 attack in southern Israel which reportedly resulted in the death of over 1,000 people.
Israel's response to Hamas has sparked widespread criticism due to the extensive use of airstrikes and offensives, resulting in Gaza's health ministry reporting a death toll of over 20,000 Palestinians.
A significant number of casualties include innocent civilian women and children.
Prior to this incident, Israel has been illegally occupying the Palestinian state according to experts from the United Nations, with the former instituting blockades, evictions and rocket launches against Gaza for years.
'Went through tunnels, savings lost'
Pacheco, released on November 24 during the initial "humanitarian truce" between Israel and Hamas, recounted the attack to the president. He described how their kibbutz was infiltrated by a group, leading to the shooting death of his Israeli companion.
He described how he and other Israeli captives moved from one tunnel to another, evading Israeli troops amid heavy bombardment. Pacheco mentioned surviving on meager rations of dates and water during this harrowing ordeal.
Jeselva, a 31-year-old woman from Nueva Ecija, became an "instant hero" in Israel after refusing to leave her 95-year-old patient Nitza Hefetz during the Hamas attacks.
Several militants reportedly entered their home. She and the patient were spared by the Hamas after Jeselva offerered the 1,500 shekels (about $370 or P23,067) she had on her purse. The amount was supposed to be used on a planned vacation in the Philippines.
She and her employer were later on rescued by the Israel Defense Forces. Jeselva later on thanked President Marcos for his guidance after the said meet-and-greet at Malacañang.
Four Filipinos have died so far due to the offensive of Palestinian militants.
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