Freed Hamas hostage Jimmy Pacheco reunites with family

MANILA – Overseas Filipino worker (OFW) Gelienor “Jimmy” Pacheco is back in the country less than a month after he was freed by the Hamas militant group in Gaza.

Pacheco was greeted at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 1 in Parañaque City on Monday by his wife, three children, officials of the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) and Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA), and Israeli Ambassador to the Philippines Ilan Fluss.

During the press briefing, Pacheco recounted how his elderly employer was killed by the Hamas terrorists while he was taken as hostage.

“Pero 'yung alaga ko noon, pumasok agad don sa shelter doon siya nag stay then bandang 7:30 mga ganon sumilip ako sa bintana, may nakapasok ng terorista, sa labas, sa bench (My employer went inside the shelter where he stayed, then at around 7:30, I looked out the windows and saw that there were terrorists that have already entered. They were outside, on the bench),” Pacheco told the media.

Pacheco's employer instructed him to lock the door and secure himself.

“Pero mas pinili ko pa rin na mag stay sa kanya hanggang sa huling hininga niya po. 'Yun pinatay siya sa shelter na natutulog bandang alas 8:30 na yon. Pinaputukan sya ng tatlong beses. 'Yung dalawa tumama sa hita ko tsaka dito sa ano, daplis lang (But I decided to stay with him until his last breath. He was killed while sleeping at the shelter around 8:30. He was shot three times, two bullets hit my legs and another. It was just a graze),” Pacheco narrated.

DMW Officer-In-Charge, Undersecretary Hans Leo Cacdac, assured that Pacheco will receive assistance from the government, while OWWA Administrator Arnell Ignacio said the OFW’s children will be given scholarships.

He said President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. himself directed them to assist Pacheco and his family.

Cacdac said an initial assistance has already been given to Pacheco.

“We will mobilize further our resources in terms of pangkabuhayan. Ito ang isang pinoint out ni Pangulo nung nagpulong kami, 'yung pangmatagalang tulong, pangkabuhayan at empleyo para sa pamilya ni Jimmy, si Mrs. Clarisse Pacheco, tutulungan din po natin and most of all, isa pang napoint out ni Pangulo 'yung mga bata (livelihood. This was specifically pointed out by the President when we had a meeting, for long
-term assistance, livelihood and job for his family, Mrs. Clarisse Pacheco we will also help her. The President also pointed out the kids), three minor children,” Cacdac said.

For OWWA, Ignacio assured that they will start processing the scholarship for Pacheco’s children, complementing the assistance to be given by the government of Israel, and a business package for the wife.

Meanwhile, Fluss said he was happy that Pacheco has safely returned to his family.

He said Pacheco conveyed his desire to go back to Israel for work, despite his experience with the Hamas.

“I am also very happy to know that Jimmy wants to go back to Israel to work, because Israel is home, people are friendly, warm, and welcoming and treat all OFWs in Israel very well,” Fluss said.

“As a victim of terror, he is entitled to all the support like any other Israeli, who’s a victim of terror. Talking to Jimmy, I know that he already got psychological support and assistance in Israel, and the Israeli government has been with him since the moment he’s out of Gaza, in the hospital, and until his arrival here,” he added.

Fluss said monthly financial assistance will be given by the Israeli government to Pacheco’s family, aside from other forms of assistance for his family, especially for the education of his children.

Cacdac said the DMW will help Pacheco with his documentation in case he decides to go back to Israel, or assistance if he wishes to stay home instead.

Pacheco was held captive by the Hamas group for 49 days and was part of the first batch of hostages freed on the first day of truce between Hamas and Israel. (PNA)