DFA confirms 3rd Filipino killed in Israel-Hamas war

Another Filipino has been confirmed dead amid the attack of Palestinian militant group Hamas on Israel, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said on Friday.

“I regret to inform you that yes, it is confirmed there is a third Filipino casualty, a 49-year-old woman from Negros Occidental,” DFA Undersecretary Eduardo de Vega said in a Palace briefing.

“Her family is aware. The President is aware,” he added.

An extensive DNA test identified the victim as Loreta Alacre from Negros Oriental, according to Ivan Mayrina’s report on “24 Oras."

According to De Vega, the latest Filipino fatality, who was a caregiver, was among the attendees of a music festival where Hamas reportedly attacked.

“There was a musical festival there and there were a lot of people who were killed attending that music festival, which was usually held during the Sukkot, which is an Israeli holiday. What we understand, she is one of the attendees and a lot of people died there,” he said.

De Vega also said the remains of Alacre underwent DNA testing to confirm her identity.

“The embassy said morgue and Jerusalem police confirmed. It's Filipino. The employer I think tweeted also,” De Vega said.

“Why do you need testing? Why does it need time? Unfortunately, a lot of the bodies of those who were killed were mutilated or burned or so that's why it is taking time,” he added.

De Vega, meanwhile, said three Pinoys remain missing.

The other two fatalities have been identified as Angeline Aguirre, a nurse, and Paul Vincent Castelvi, a 42-year-old caregiver. 

Aguirre was killed after she chose to stay with her elderly patient as gunmen shot up a bomb shelter in Israel.

Castelvi, meanwhile, was planning to return to the Philippines for the holidays to surprise his mother.

The Philippine government earlier said it is already processing bringing home the remains of the first two Filipinos who died in the Hamas attack. 

“Iyong isa I think inanunsyo na rin ng pamilya sa kanilang interview na cremation ang option. So iyong isa lamang ang aasikasuhin na labi na iuuwi,” sai Department of Migrant Workers officer-in-charge Hans Leo Cacdac in an interview on GMA Integrated News’ Unang Balita.

(One of the relatives announced that they opted for cremation. For the other, we are already processing the repatriation of the body.)

“Pino-process na po ito at hindi na rin po magtatagal ay makakauwi at least iyong isa nating mahal na OFW na nasawi,” he added.

(We are already processing it and the remains will be flown home soon.)

Hamas militants carried out their deadliest attack in Israel's history on Saturday, when gunmen rampaged through Israeli towns, killing more than 1,000 people and taking scores of hostages to Gaza.

Israel has retaliated with air strikes on Gaza that have razed entire districts as it prepares for a possible ground offensive.

The Philippines on Thursday placed Gaza under Alert Level 3  while Alert Level 2 is raised over Israel.

Israel is home to at least 30,000 Filipino workers, most of them caregivers.

DMW said 22 Pinoys including 19 caregivers and three hotel workers in Israel have requested repatriation so far.

The Philippine government said it is now preparing the flights for the repatriation of affected OFWs in Israel.  —With Sundy Locus/VAL, GMA Integrated News