ASSISTANCE. Iloilo Governor Arthur Defensor Jr. said in a press conference Friday (Oct. 20, 2023) that they coordinate with the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration and the Department of Migrant Workers to help the family of their province mate who was killed by Hamas terrorists in Israel. The family of the victim has appealed for the immediate repatriation of her remains. (PNA photo by PGLena)
ILOILO CITY – The family of the overseas Filipino worker (OFW) from Iloilo province who died in the Israel-Hamas war has appealed for the immediate repatriation of her remains.
Paterna Prodigo, the 72-year-old mother of the fatality, Grace Prodigo-Cabrera, said her youngest daughter who is also working in Israel, Mary June Prodigo, has yet to see the body which was reportedly found in the field of Kibbutz Be’eri.
Grace, 45, worked in Israel as a caregiver for almost five years.
According to her mother, she chose to go with the Hamas terrorists to save her octogenarian ward.
She went missing for over 10 days and was confirmed dead on Thursday.
“The child posted on social media that Grace was an angel for their mother, Aviva,” Paterna said in Hiligaynon during an interview on Friday.
The Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) said Cabrera was identified through her fingerprints.
OWWA representatives visited the family in Maasin town on Thursday.
In a press conference on Friday, Iloilo Governor Arthur Defensor Jr. said the province will provide financial aid the bereaved family while the Public Employment Service Office (PESO) will also extend assistance.
“We continue to work with our OWWA and the Department of Migrant Workers and the family so we can help,” Defensor said.
The PESO said they are 207 Ilonggo OFWs in Israel, as per reports from its municipal counterparts.
The province’s Operation Bulig (Help) Ilonggo continues to operate 24/7 to assist OFWs and their families. (PNA)
