Marcos meets Filipino survivors of Israel-Hamas conflict

President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. met with two Filipino survivors of the October 7 Hamas attack in Israel.

Marcos welcomed Jimmy Pacheco and Camille Jesalva in Malacanang after they arrived in the country in time for Christmas.

“Eh di at least nakauwi kayo, tsaka Merry Christmas. Napakabigat naman nung experience niyo. Isulat ninyo o i-video ninyo,” Marcos told the OFWs.

“Dapat gawin nating lahat nung mga… lahat ng repatriate. Ikuwento sila, para malaman ng tao kung ano ‘yung pinagdaanan nila. ‘Yung Israeli, mahal naman tayo eh, he added.”  

Jesalva thanked the President for his guidance.

Pacheco was a caregiver in Israel who was held hostage by the Hamas for more than 40 days. He arrived in the Philippines on Monday, December 18.

He was one of the two known Filipinos taken by the militant group during their October 7 rampage in southern Israel that resulted in the death of more than 1,000 people.

Pacheco was released on November 24 on the first truce.

During the meeting with Marcos, Pacheco recounted how their kibbutz was infiltrated by the group that killed his Israeli ward.

He also narrated how they moved from one tunnel to another to avoid Israeli troops amid heavy bombardment.

He said he survived eating a meager ration of dates and water in his more than 40 days of captivity in Gaza.

Jesalva, a 31-year-old caregiver from Nueva Ecija, did not leave her employer, 95-year-old patient Nitza Hefetz during Hamas’ onslaught.

The Israeli public admired her courage, dedication, and loyalty for staying by her employer's side.

They were residing in Nirim Kibbutz on the Gaza-Israel border, which was attacked by Hamas on October 7. 

Several militants entered their home and took the money Jesalva was saving for her Philippine vacation.

Jesalva and Nitza were later rescued by responding troops from the Israel Defense Forces.—LDF, GMA Integrated News