HOME. The body of overseas Filipino worker Angelyn Aquirre, who was killed in Israel when her kibbutz was attacked by the Hamas militant group, arrives in the country on Friday (Nov. 3, 2023). The Department of Migrant Workers said Aguirre refused to leave her elderly Israeli employer, who was also killed during the attack. (Photo grabbed from OWWA Administrator Arnell Ignacio Facebook page)
MANILA – The body of 32-year-old overseas Filipino worker (OFW) Angelyn Peralta Aguirre, who was killed amid the Israel-Hamas conflict, is now home.
On Friday, Aguirre’s body arrived at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport and was turned over by Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) officer-in-charge Undersecretary Hans Leo Cacdac, and Overseas Workers Welfare Administrator Arnell Ignacio to her relatives at the PAIR-PAGS compound of the Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA).
Aguirre, who worked as a caregiver in Israel, died on Oct. 7, 2023, when her kibbutz in southern Israel was attacked by Hamas militants, according to a statement issued by the DMW.
She refused to leave her ward, a 70-year-old Israeli citizen, who was also killed.
“Tayo’y nakikiisa’t nakikiramay sa kanilang mga kaanak, mga naiwang mahal sa buhay (We are grieving together with their relatives and loved ones who were left behind),” Cacdac said during an interview with PTV’s Bagong Pilipinas.
“In the meantime, lahat ng tulong in terms of financial assistance at funeral and burial expenses, livelihood para sa naiwang pamilya at trabaho para sa mga naiwang pamilya ay naiugnay na natin sa relevant government agencies; at kami mismo ni Administrator Arnell Ignacio ng OWWA ay nagsanib-pwersa na rin para magbigay ng karampatang tulong (all assistance in terms of financial, funeral, and burial expenses, livelihood for the family left behind, and work, have been relayed to other concerned government agencies, and together with OWWA Administrator Arnell Ignacio, we have come together to provide the necessary assistance),” he added.
So far, four Filipinos have died in Israel amid the conflict with the Hamas militant group.
Cacdac said President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. himself gave them directives to closely communicate with the families of those who died and do everything to help them.
More OFWs to come home
Cacdac said two more batches of OFW repatriates from Israel are scheduled to arrive in the country next week.
To date, 119 out of the 178 Filipinos who requested to be repatriated have already arrived in the country, he said.
On Nov. 6, the DMW is expecting 23 OFWs to arrive at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport and another batch of 27 OFWs on Nov. 7.
Cacdac said they are still processing the documents of other OFWs for repatriation.
Meanwhile, he said families of OFWs based in Israel, Lebanon, and even in the West Bank where there are around 26 OFWs, may contact the 1348 OWWA Hotline for any assistance. (PNA)
