Marcos offers condolences, vows aid for Filipina killed in missile attack in Israel

President Ferdinand ''Bongbong'' Marcos Jr. expressed condolences to the family of the Filipina who was killed in a missile attack in Haifa, Israel, vowing that full assistance will be given to them.

In his message on Tuesday, Marcos also guaranteed the immediate repatriation of the victim's remains. 

''Nakikiramay tayo sa pamilya ng ating kababayang nasawi sa naganap na missile attack sa Haifa, Israel. Kasama nating nagluluksa ang kanyang pamilya sa gitna ng isang trahedyang hindi dapat maranasan ninuman,'' Marcos said. 

(We sympathized with the family of the Filipina killed during the missile attack in Haifa, Israel. We are mourning with the family in the midst of this tragedy.) 

''I have directed our agencies to extend full assistance to the family and to ensure the immediate repatriation of her remains,'' he added. 

Marcos expressed hope that the victim's family would have strength and peace of mind despite this tragic incident. 

''Nakikiisa ang buong sambayanan sa kanilang pagdadalamhati. Nawa’y matagpuan nila ang lakas at kapanatagan sa gitna ng trahedyang ito,'' Marcos said.

(We are mourning with the family. I hope they find strength and peace amid this tragedy.) 

The Department of Foreign Affairs earlier said the victim's Israeli husband and elderly parents-in-law were also killed during the missile attack.

The Philippine Embassy in Tel Aviv has already informed the family and is providing all necessary assistance, including arrangements for the earliest possible repatriation of her remains despite the current travel situation in the region

The DFA had said the victim's family has requested for privacy to grieve in peace.

Second Filipino fatality

It marked the second time that a Filipino died in the prevailing conflict in the Middle East.

The first one was Mary Ann Velasquez De Vera, 32, a Filipino caregiver in Israel. She was also killed in an airstrike in Israel. De Vera was from Pangasinan.

Meanwhile, Marcos said the Philippine government continues to monitor the situation in the Middle East, stressing that the safety of Filipinos remain a priority. 

On February 28, tensions in the Middle East escalated following the joint military operations launched by the United States and Israel against Iran. The Israeli military said Iran retaliated with missile strikes on Israel. — RSJ, GMA News