Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, October 12) — The family of overseas Filipino worker (OFW) Paul Castelvi is in utter disbelief over his tragic death in Israel from the hands of Hamas fighters.
Paul was among the two confirmed OFWs who died from the deadly Hamas attacks in the middle eastern country.
CNN Philippines spoke with Nick Castelvi, the father of Paul, in their hometown in San Fernando, Pampanga. Nick gave permission to identify his son and shared some of Paul’s final moments.
\”Isa siya sa mga nagtatrabaho na kasama ang alaga niya nang dumating ang mga Palestinians,\” Nick shared. \”Mga wala silang [awa], masasamang tao ang mga iyan,\” Nick said.
[Translation: He’s among those employed taking care of the elderly when the Palestinians entered their home. They are heartless and didn’t show any mercy.]
Nick added that knowing his son’s dedication as a caregiver, he said Paul would protect his employer at all costs.
\”Talagang kukunin nila ang mga Israelite pero lalaban si Paul, ipagtatanggol niya boss niya,\” his father said. \”Kaya ganoon po siya nabaril pagkatapos kinuha ang amo niya at naiwan siya roon na may tama.\”
[Translation: They are really aiming to kidnap the Israelites but Paul will put up a fight to defend his employer. He was shot there and then they took his employer while Paul was left there to die with a gunshot wound.]
Paul had been working in Israel for five years. He was the breadwinner of the family.
\”Bata pa lang po yan talagang kapag nakahawak ng pera talagang binibigay sa nanay niya,\” Nick recalled.
[Translation: Since he was young, whenever he had money, he would give it to his mother.]
Nick turned emotional as remembered his son’s kindness and how those in their neighborhood would say the same.
\”Walang sasabihin sa inyo ang mga tao rito kundi mabait at hindi basagulero ang anak namin,\” he said. \”Mabait po talaga siya kaya nga dinamdam namin ang pagkawala niya kasi purpose niya doon ay maghanap-buhay bakit ganon ang ginawa nila sa anak ko.\”
[Translation: You can ask anyone here and they will tell you how kind and good my son was. He was so kind that we are left devastated by his loss because he was just there to earn a living so why would they do that to my son.]
The government vowed to assist the families of the OFWs who perished in Israel.
