President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. told the families of the three Filipinos killed in the war between Israel and Hamas that their loved ones’ bodies would be sent back to their families as soon as a humanitarian corridor opens.
A statement from the Palace on Monday said that the Chief Executive had talked to the families and promised to help those who have been affected by the Israel-Hamas conflict.
Marcos also called the family of 49-year-old caregiver Loreta Villarin Alacre on Sunday and assured them that his government would help them. He also told the victims’ families that the government is doing everything it can to bring their loved one’s body home.
Members of the Palestinian terrorist group Hamas killed Alacre, who allegedly had been at the Nova Music Festival near the border with Gaza.
“There is assistance available for the family, but we will do everything that needs to be done to bring (your sibling) home first,” Marcos said.
“But we are waiting to see the situation in Israel because it’s really chaotic right now and everything is closed,” Marcos added.
Marcos said that the Philippine representative to Egypt is waiting for information on the “possible opening of a humanitarian corridor” so that people can start to go back home.
The President also previously spoke to the families of two other Filipinos who were killed in the war. He described it as the hardest phone calls he had to make as the Chief Executive.
About 92 out of 137 Filipinos living in Gaza want to return repatriate, government data showed. Eight of them are scheduled to be the first to fly home on 16 October.