Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, October 10) — The Philippine Embassy in Israel on Tuesday said it is verifying the reported death of an overseas Filipino worker, while also confirming the safety of Filipino students there amid the escalating war between Israeli forces and militant group Hamas.
“Mayroon kaming nareceive kagabi na report mayroon daw isang namatay so first thing in the morning ay pupunta ang ating labor attache at ive-verify doon nga sa reported na may isang nasawi daw na caregiver,” Philippine ambassador to Israel Pedro Laylo, Jr. told CNN Philippines’ The Source.
[Translation: We received a report last night that someone was killed so first thing in the morning our labor attache will verify the reported death of a caregiver.]
Laylo said this reported death was initially included in the list of 29 missing Filipinos. Of this number, 23 were already rescued while five remain unaccounted for, he added.
He also denied reports Filipino agrostudies students were abducted by Hamas operatives. He said all 310 students are safe.
The envoy said those still missing are all caregivers and are from around the same area where Hamas took their hostages.
“Binigay na natin yung information sa Israeli authorities na hoping makakuha tayo ng feedback,” Laylo said.
[Translation: We already gave the information to Israeli authorities and we’re hoping to get feedback.]
He said verification takes time since they only rely on information from Israeli authorities. He urged the public not to share unverified reports that may only cause fear and panic among Filipinos.
Department of Migrant Workers officer-in-charge Hans Cacdac said in another interview that the two reported injured Filipinos were already visited by Philippine authorities and were given financial assistance.
According to Laylo, the situation in Israel remains tense. Records show that 4,500 rockets were launched from Gaza since Saturday’s surprise attack, but most of them were intercepted by Israeli forces, he added.
