Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, December 23) — Filipino survivors of the Oct. 7 Hamas attack in Israel recalled their ordeal in a meeting with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Friday.
Marcos welcomed Jimmy Pacheco and Camille Jesalva to the Malacañan Palace after they arrived in the country just in time for the holidays.
Pacheco, a caregiver in Israel, was held hostage by the Palestinian militant group for more than 40 days and was released on the first truce in Nov. 24. He arrived in the Philippines on Dec. 18.
Recalling the attack, Pacheco narrated how their kibbutz was infiltrated by Hamas and how his Israeli ward was shot to death.
He told Marcos that the group moved in tunnels with their hostages to avoid Israeli troops amid heavy bombardment.
According to Pacheco, he survived on meager rations of dates and water in more than a month of captivity in Gaza.
Meanwhile, Jesalva, a 31-year-old caregiver from Nueva Ecija, became an instant hero in Israel for refusing to leave her 95-year-old employer, Nitza Hefetz, during the Hamas attack.
They were living in the Nirim Kibbutz on the Israel-Gaza border, which was attacked by Hamas on Oct. 7.
Several militants entered their home and robbed Jesalva of her money that she was supposed to spend for her vacation in the Philippines.
They were later rescued by troops from the Israel Defense Force (IDF) and her story was publicized.
Marcos said he was pleased to meet Pacheco and Jesalva and was glad they have returned home safely.
“Eh di at least nakauwi kayo, tsaka Merry Christmas. Napakabigat naman nung experience niyo. Isulat ninyo o i-video ninyo,” Marcos told the survivors.
“Dapat gawin nating lahat nung mga… lahat ng repatriate. Ikuwento sila, para malaman ng tao kung ano ‘yung pinagdaanan nila. ‘Yung Israeli, mahal naman tayo,” he said.
