Remains of Filipina caregiver killed in Israel arrive in PH
MANILA, Philippines — Two weeks after she was killed in a missile attack in Israel, the remains of Filipina caregiver Mary Ann De Vera arrived in the country on Saturday, the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) said.
De Vera was killed in Israel on Feb. 28 after being hit by shrapnel while helping an elderly woman get into a bomb shelter. Oren Marmorstein, spokesperson of Israel’s foreign ministry, earlier said that the Iranian regime’s ballistic missiles “murdered this Philippine caregiver.”
READ: Caregiver first PH casualty in Mideast; gov’t all set for repatriation
De Vera’s remains were accompanied by her widower, Bernie Lavarias. Lavarias met with Israeli President Isaac Herzog in Jerusalem the other day.
According to the Philippine Embassy in Israel, Herzog assured Lavarias that he would receive financial assistance under Israel’s compensation program and a monthly stipend through the state’s national insurance system.
“The DMW and OWWA [Overseas Workers Welfare Administration] will continue to provide necessary assistance to the family of the perished OFW in their time of grief,” the DMW said in Filipino in a statement.
READ: Iran behind Filipina caregiver death in Israel – Israeli envoy
Memorial service
The Philippine Embassy in Israel also said that it organized a vigil prayer for De Vera on Thursday before her remains were sent home. The memorial service was presided over by His Beatitude Pierbattista Cardinal Pizzaballa, Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem and the highest Catholic prelate in the Holy Land.
“In the face of such terror, our hearts may scream. But as followers of Christ, we are called to a different path – the path of forgiveness, mercy, and love that is life-giving, not death-dealing,” Pizzaballa said in the memorial service, as quoted by the embassy.
“The greatest tribute we can pay to our departed sister is not hatred, but a renewed commitment to being instruments of God’s peace,” Pizzaballa added.
Tensions began in the Middle East almost two weeks ago following airstrikes launched by the United States of America and Israel against Iran, targeting the latter’s military facilities. In retaliation, Tehran launched drone and missile attacks against Israel and American bases.
Since then, thousands of OFWs have signified their intent to return home, with batches of them already being repatriated amid the difficulty in booking flights. Among them are the 23 OFWs from Jeddah who arrived in the country on Saturday on a flight provided by the Republic of Singapore Air Force. /jpv
