The local government of Basista, Pangasinan has assured support for the family of an overseas Filipino worker (OFW) who was killed in Israel, as her relatives asked the public and media to respect their privacy while they mourn.
President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. confirmed earlier the death of Mary Anne Velazquez De Vera, a caregiver from Pangasinan, amid the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.
“Namatay po ang isang Mary Anne Velazquez De Vera na taga-Pangasinan. Siya po ay isang caregiver sa Israel na tinutulungan ang kaniyang alaga para dalhin sa bomb shelter ngunit hindi na po naka-abot sa bomb shelter,” the President said.
He said De Vera’s remains were identified by her husband, who is also an OFW in Israel.
The Philippine Embassy in Israel has extended its condolences and is set to assist the family. The government continues to monitor the condition of Filipinos in the Middle East.
In Basista, Mayor Jolly Resuello said he has spoken with De Vera’s family, who requested the immediate repatriation of her remains along with her husband.
“Ang request ng family na kung puwede, mapabilis and kung pupuwede daw, maasikaso agad. Alam naman nila yung sitwasyon, so, ang hiling lang nila ay mapabilis ‘yung pag-uwi kasama yung asawa,” Resuello said.
The mayor added that the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration and the Department of Migrant Workers have visited the family to provide information and guide them through the process of bringing De Vera’s remains home.
Resuello also relayed the family’s appeal for privacy.
“Ang gusto ng family, kung maaari, maibigay natin ang privacy sa kanila and sana po respeto na lang po sa pamilya.”
“Ang request po nila kung puwede, walang media sa bahay nila. Kasi in-expect nila dadagsain sila ng media,” he added.
The local government assured that it will extend assistance to De Vera’s surviving family members.
The Pangasinan Provincial Government also conveyed its condolences, saying it stands with the De Vera family in their time of grief and continues to pray for strength and comfort for her loved ones.
Based on data from the Department of Foreign Affairs, more than 2.4 million Filipinos are in various countries across the Middle East. The agency said it is closely coordinating with Philippine embassies in the region to assist OFWs.
The Department of Migrant Workers earlier assured that contingency plans are in place for Filipinos affected by the conflict. Meanwhile, the Department of National Defense and the Armed Forces of the Philippines said there is no direct threat to Philippine security from the unrest in the Middle East.
