Marcos vows ‘utmost support’ to relatives of Pinoy fatalities

MANILA, Philippines — In what he described as his “most difficult phone call” as Chief Executive, President Marcos has assured families of Filipinos killed in attacks in Israel by Hamas militants of his “utmost support,” as different government agencies also expressed their sympathies and offered help.

“The nation is one in grieving with the families of the Filipinos who were killed in the attacks on Israel,” the President said in a Facebook post yesterday.

“We will provide the utmost support to the families they were taken from. This tragedy will not deter our spirit. We will continue to stand for peace,” he added.

The Philippine embassy in Israel revealed that one of the fatalities was a 33-year-old newly married female from Pangasinan who had worked in Israel for six years while the other victim was a 42-year-old male from Pampanga.

“You are going through a difficult time. The government will provide you all the assistance you need, including the retrieving of the remains... if there is a chance. For now, the situation is still chaotic and there are bombings,” Marcos told a grieving relative of a Filipino fatality.

Marcos advised the relatives to be in constant contact with the Philippine embassy in Tel Aviv for updates. He also directed Philippine Ambassador to Israel Pedro Laylo Jr. to closely coordinate with the families of the two fatalities and provide them with all the necessary assistance, including financial aid.

Officials of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) visited the family of one the Filipino fatalities – Paul Vincent Castelvi – in San Fernando, Pampanga to condole with them and extend assistance.

DSWD officer-in-charge assistant regional director for operations Armont Pecina led regional personnel and community-based social workers during the visit yesterday.

“They expressed sympathy to the bereaved family. The team has provided, through the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation program, financial assistance amounting to P10,000,” Regional Director Venus Rebuldela said in a report to DSWD Undersecretary for operations group Pinky Romualdez.

“The family members were also informed that they will be referred to projects under the DSWD’s Sustainable Livelihood Program to help them in their livelihood since Paul Vincent is the breadwinner of the family,” Romualdez said in her report to Secretary Rex Gatchalian.

The Department of Health (DOH), for its part, said it is ready to extend psychosocial support to overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) affected by the war in Israel and Gaza.

Health Secretary Ted Herbosa said they are committed to giving such support, during the launch of the “Philippine Council for Mental Health Strategic Framework” at the Rizal Park Hotel in Manila yesterday.

“I just saw OWWA (Overseas Workers Welfare Administration) Administrator Arnell Ignacio (recently), and I spoke to him. I told him, you have my support, the DOH support. There are Filipinos affected who need mental health support or care so I committed that to our fellow Filipinos affected by the war in Gaza,” Herbosa said.

“We will repatriate them, we will support them and we will help them locate mental health facilities (if needed),” he added.

He said returning OFWs would be made to undergo stress debriefing.

“Stress debriefing is done by professionals to identify if the patient needs medication or continued psychosocial therapy,” he said.

“That is very important. Psychosocial support is very important especially for OFWs in crisis.”— Delon Porcalla, Rhodina Villanueva