3 Filipinos killed in Israel

PAGADIAN CITY – At least three Filipinos had died in Israel due to the fighting between security and Hamas forces as the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) urged Filipino travelers to hold off their trip to the Holy Land while hostilities in the Gaza Strip are still ongoing.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. assured the family of Loreta Villarin Alacre, the third Filipino killed in the firefight between Hamas militants and Israeli forces, of the immediate repatriation of her remains as soon as a humanitarian corridor will be opened for affected civilians.

Alacre, a 49 year old caregiver, was among the Filipinos earlier reported missing when the militant Hamas attacked Israel from the Gaza strip. The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) confirmed and has already notified Alacre’s family that the victim, who had been working as a caregiver in Haifa and Tel Aviv, was killed.

In a telephone call with the victim’s sister, Marcos personally extended his condolences and said that the DMW and Overseas Workers Welfare Administration will provide all necessary assistance to those affected by the armed conflict.

Marcos however said that the government is now focusing on how to send back home the remains of Alacre.

“May assistance para sa pamilya, pero lahat ng kailangang gawin para maiuwi na (ang iyong kapatid) ay gagawin na muna namin. Iyon lamang, hinihintay muna natin kung ano ‘yung magiging sitwasyon doon sa Israel dahil talagang napakagulo masyado ngayon at sarado lahat,” he said.

“Tulungan ka namin. Basta’t nandito ang gobyerno. Lahat ng mga embassy natin naka-alert naman, alam nila ang sitwasyon mo … lahat nga gusto nang umuwi kaya ‘yun na muna ang inayos namin at basta’t mabigyan tayo ng pagkakataon ay iuuwi na namin silang lahat,” he added.

The families of two other Filipinos - a 42-year-old man from Pampanga, captured by Hamas militants, and a 33-year-old woman from Pangasinan, killed alongside her employer during a coordinated militant attack – were also assured of all government assistance and the repatriation of their remains to the Philippines as soon as borders will be opened for refugees.

Marcos said that the Philippine ambassador to Egypt is now waiting for the positive feedback for possible opening of a humanitarian corridor so that the government can start with the repatriation efforts. He said that the airport in Tel Aviv is still open but it is not yet allowing refugees.

However, the Philippine government is coordinating efforts with the Israeli government to allow the repatriation of affected Filipinos.

DFA Undersecretary Eduardo De Vega said they have not put a travel ban on Israel, “but our embassy has issued a travel advisory, so as much as possible, avoid traveling right now.”

While the Holy Land sites are not the areas in conflict, it is not normal to visit a country that is under a state of war, according to De Vega.

“We’re not telling you not to go but we’re advising you that it’s best, if possible, to postpone them until we’re absolutely sure that the hostilities have ended because after all, even the Prime Minister of Israel has said that we are in a state of war. So, it’s not normal for somebody to want to visit the country which is in a state of war,” he said.

De Vega said holding off such leisure trips would help avoid future problems as he mentioned that there were Filipinos who had a problem with their flight out from Israel but eventually were able to get back to the Philippines before succeeding flights were canceled.

Citing the security situation, several airlines in Asia have canceled their flights to Tel Aviv, including Hainan Airlines, Cathay Pacific, and Korean Air. Other leading international air carriers have followed suit. (Mindanao Examiner)