The body of a Negrense overseas Filipino worker (OFW) who died weeks after a missile attack in Israel has been repatriated. 

The remains of Leah Mosquera arrived at the Bacolod-Silay Airport on July 24, 2025.

Members of her family and officials of the Provincial Government of Negros Occidental and governnment agencies met her remains at the airport. 

Her sisters were not able to hold back a river of tears at the sight of Leah's coffin unloaded from the plane. 

They remember Leah as a helpful, thoughtful sister to her eight siblings. 

“Ang mahalaga na buo siya. Nakita namin siya. Kasi ang mga pamangkin namin, hindi siya kilala. Siya ang pinakamatulungin sa aming mga kapatid. Nagsakripisyo siya doon para sa lahat nang kanyang mga pamangkin,” Donna Mosquera, a sister, said. 

Leah worked for 13 years as a caregiver in Israel, with her other sister May Joy.  

May Joy said intense pain struck when she learned of her sister’s predicament because prior to Iran's missile attack on Israel, Leah reminded her to stay safe. 

May Joy said that Leah must have been asleep when the attack transpired. 

“Hindi niya narinig [ang alert]. Natutulog sila. Umapoy ang kanilang silid kaya na-trap siya doon. Tinamaan siya ng pintuan. Wasak talaga eh,” May Joy said.

Leah stayed in the hospital for weeks as she underwent an operation at the Shamir Medical Center. She was on comatose, and passed away on July 13, 2025. 

From the airport, Leahs’ remains were taken to a funeral homes in the Municipality of San Enrique before before she was taken home to the Municipality of Hinigaran, Negros Occidental.

“For the family of Ma’am Leah Mosquera, nakatanggap tayo ng direct na instruction from the Department of Migrant Workers at OWWA [Overseas Workers Welfare Administration], from the President na aalagaan ang kanyang family," said James Mendiola, OWWA 6 regional director. 

The Provincial Government of Negros Occidental pledged financial assistance to Leah’s family. 

“We are just preparing for the budget. Once it is ready, we will call the family to receive the financial assistance,” said Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson who was among local officials present at the airport. 

As of this writing, no date for the funeral has been set yet.