Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, November 28) — The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) is hopeful that Filipino overseas worker Noralyn Babadilla would be located or released by Hamas after the truce in Gaza between Israel and the Palestinian militant group was extended.
Speaking to CNN Philippines’ The Source on Tuesday, DFA Undersecretary Eduardo de Vega said the government still has no information regarding the whereabouts of Babadilla, but added that it is using its contacts to “at least get confirmation [that she is] in fact a hostage.”
“It may be possible that she’s a hostage or there are maybe even other FIlipinos who are hostages. We’d like to [get] them as soon as possible,” he said.
However, De Vega said Gelienor “Jimmy” Pacheco, the Filipino caregiver who was in the first batch of hostages freed by Hamas, “does not know of any other Filipino hostage aside from himself.”
Some 50 Israeli women and children have been released from captivity in Gaza since the four-day truce was struck. The pause, which was initially only up until Monday, has been extended for two more days.
READ: Deal reached to extend Israel-Hamas truce by two days, Qatar says
De Vega said the government is in touch with Babadilla’s family in Israel.
“Hopefully, Miss Babadilla will be among those [to be released] because the alternative will be very distressing,” De Vega said.
“That would mean that she was one of those who were killed in the original attack whose body has not been not found or identified. But miracles happen. Let’s pray for the best,” he added.
Pacheco considering embassy advice
Meanwhile, De Vega said Pacheco is reconsidering his decision to remain in Israel.
“Now, he is considering the advice of the Philippine Embassy that he should stay in the Philippines and possibly put up a business. He was seriously considering it,” the DFA official said.
Pacheco, whose release was confirmed on Saturday, is “getting better by the day” after he was discharged from the hospital on Sunday, De Vega said.
However, De Vega said the OFW was advised by Israelis to “not speak about their captivity” so as not to derail efforts to get other hostages released.
De Vega said Pacheco was not physically harmed during his captivity and only got injured during the Oct. 7 attack.
“He’s still in some sort of trauma because he saw his employer get killed before he was taken,” the DFA official said.
“We’ll hear eventually from him about it but he’s very thankful to the Lord and all of us because everyone hoped for his release, along with other hostages. And he feels fortunate that he’s among the first released,” he added.
