A Filipina caregiver was killed amid the escalating conflict in the Middle East, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. confirmed on Sunday.
In a video message posted on his official Facebook account, the President expressed sorrow over the death of Mary Ann Velasquez De Vera, a native of Pangasinan, who died in an airstrike in Israel.
Filipina Caregiver Killed in Airstrike
According to Marcos, De Vera was assisting her employer to a bomb shelter when the attack occurred.
“Siya po ay isang caregiver sa Israel na tinutulungan ang kanyang alaga para dalhin sa bomb shelter ngunit hindi na po nakaabot sa bomb shelter at inabutan na sila bago sila nakarating,” the President said.
(She was a caregiver in Israel who was helping her employer get to a bomb shelter, but they were unable to reach it in time.)
He added that De Vera was struck by shrapnel from falling bombs.
“Siya ay namatay dahil tinamaan ng shrapnel ng mga bumagsak na bomba. Na-identify na po siya ng kanyang asawa na isang OFW din na nagtatrabaho sa Israel.”
(She died after being hit by shrapnel from falling bombs. She was identified by her husband, who is also an OFW working in Israel.)
Government Assures Assistance to Family
Marcos assured the public that the Philippine government will extend full assistance and support to De Vera’s family during this difficult time.
For emergencies, Filipinos abroad may contact the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) at (+632) 1348 (international), 1348 (Metro Manila), or (02) 1348 (regional and mobile).
Rising Tensions in the Middle East
The incident comes amid heightened tensions after the United States and Israel launched joint military operations against Iran on Saturday.
The Israeli military reported that Iran retaliated with missile strikes targeting Israel.
The Pentagon has officially designated the American strikes as Operation Epic Fury, marking a significant escalation in the ongoing conflict.
