DFA confirms third Filipino fatality in Israel-Hamas conflict

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on Friday confirmed the death of another Filipino in the armed conflict between Israel and the Palestinian militant group Hamas.

DFA Undersecretary Eduardo de Vega said in a briefing in Malacañang that the victim was a 49-year old Filipino woman from Negros Occidental who worked as a caregiver.

De Vega’s verified information brought to three the number of Filipinos killed since Hamas launched a surprise attack on Israel on October 7.

“I regret to inform you that, yes, it is confirmed that there is a third Filipino casualty … her family is aware, the President is aware,” he said.

LOOK: Deadly strikes, humanitarian crisis in Israel-Hamas war’s 6th day

The DFA official did not name the victim but said she was killed on the first day of the brutal Hamas assault.

“On the day of the attack, there was a music festival in the south … what we understand is she was one of the attendees, and a lot of people died there,” de Vega said.

Meanwhile, the number of missing Filipinos rose to four, but Vega said that the fourth reported unaccounted Filipino is still being confirmed.

Repatriation assistance

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 in the Middle Eastern region.

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.

kga