Pinoy among hostages freed

MANILA, Philippines — A Filipino was among the hostages freed by Palestinian militant group Hamas last Friday and is now with officials of the Philippine embassy in Israel, President Marcos announced yesterday.

“I am overjoyed to confirm that a Filipino, Mr. Gelienor ‘Jimmy’ Pacheco, was among the first group of 24 hostages released by the Hamas yesterday (Nov. 24). He is now safely in the custody of officials in our Israel embassy,” the President said in a post on X.

“I salute the work of the Philippine foreign service in securing his release, and once again thank the State of Qatar for their invaluable assistance in making Jimmy’s release possible,” he added.

Marcos also expressed concern over the whereabouts of Noralyn Babadilla, another Filipino believed to be among the hostages of Hamas.

Marcos said the Philippine government is “sparing no effort to locate and secure her if she is indeed found to be one of the hostages.”

“We pray for the continued success of the truce and for all hostages to be released,” the Chief Executive said.

Pacheco, 33, was among the more than 200 civilians seized by marauding Hamas militants in Israel near the border of Gaza on Oct. 7. The surprise attack claimed the lives of 1,200 people, mostly Israelis.

In response to the Hamas-perpetrated bloodbath, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared “a state of war” with the militants and immediately ordered bombardment of Gaza. Israel’s retaliatory attacks have since killed 15,000, according to the Hamas government in Gaza. Released along with Pacheco were 13 Israelis and 10 Thais.

In good health

The Philippine embassy in Tel Aviv said Pacheco appears to be in good health.

“He is able to walk and move without difficulty and speaks coherently,” it said in a statement.

In his conversation with the embassy, Pacheco shared what kept him strong throughout his ordeal.

“I am alive because of the Lord. Even on the day they abducted me, I was really thinking about my family. While I was in Gaza, I just wanted to live for my family,” the 33-year-old caregiver told Philippine Ambassador to Israel Pedro Laylo Jr., who received him at the Shamir Medical Center outside Tel Aviv. There, Pacheco was also able to speak with his wife, Clarice Joy.

Laylo assured him of the embassy’s full support for all his immediate needs.

“The Filipino nation shares the joy of Israeli and Thai families who are now receiving this good news. We continue to pray for the release of the remaining hostages in Gaza,” Laylo said.

Clarice Joy also posted on Facebook a photo of her husband, flanked by his Israeli employers, she identified as Sir Ido and Sir Gilad.

Pacheco and his elderly ward, Amitai Ben Zvi, initially hid from the Hamas terrorists. Hours later, one of Zvi’s sons received a video of his father’s house in a mess and Pacheco in handcuffs, according to an interview of a son by CNN.

Zvi was killed.

“They never left him/us their whole family on this battle! Thank you so much, Lord. Such a blessing and big miracle for having your second life. Big thanks po to all! Let’s pray that all the hostages left will release soon. I feel [for] their family [ies], not that easy. Just keep fighting,” Pacheco’s wife posted on Saturday.

The embassy promised to release at a later time information on Pacheco’s captivity, given the “sensitive nature of the ongoing debriefing of the released persons and to avoid jeopardizing the safety of the remaining hostages.”

Gratitude

The House of Representatives has expressed its gratitude to Qatar for helping facilitate the release of Pacheco.

“We, in the House of Representatives, are heartened by the news of Filipino hostage Gelienor ‘Jimmy’ Pacheco’s release by Hamas. Our gratitude extends to the State of Qatar for their pivotal role in facilitating Jimmy’s release,” Speaker Martin Romualdez said in a statement.

Pacheco’s release, Romualdez said, was a “breakthrough” that “underscores the relentless and dedicated efforts” of President Marcos, the Department of Foreign Affairs and the Philippine foreign service “in safeguarding every Filipino amidst the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.”

House committee on workers affairs and Kabayan party-list Rep. Ron Salo also acknowledged Qatar for its “invaluable initiative and assistance throughout this ordeal.”

“As we rejoice in Mr. Pacheco’s safe return, our hearts remain heavy with concern for Ms. Noralyn Babadilla, whose whereabouts are still unknown. Our thoughts and prayers are with her and her family during this challenging time,” he added.

Hamas fighters are set to release a new wave of hostages on Saturday in exchange for Palestinian prisoners, officials said, offering hope to anguished families after seven weeks of war that have killed thousands of people.

Key mediator Qatar was expected to announce the numbers of prisoners and hostages to be freed later Saturday, the second swap since a four-day ceasefire came into effect on Friday and largely silenced the guns on both sides.

Israeli authorities said they had received a list of the hostages to be freed but did not provide numbers or the precise timing.

On Friday, the first day of the truce, Hamas released 24 hostages comprising 13 Israelis – all of whom were women and children, including some dual citizens – 10 Thais and one Filipino.

Next wave

A two-minute video released by Hamas showed masked militants with rifles, wearing military fatigues and the green headband of its armed wing, as they handed the hostages over to Red Cross officials.

Israel, in turn, freed 39 women and children from its prisons.

“It’s only a start, but so far it’? gone well,” US President Joe Biden told reporters in Massachusetts, where he was spending the Thanksgiving holiday.

“I think the chances are real” for extending the truce, he said.

Biden also urged a broader effort to emerge from the crisis with a viable Palestinian state alongside Israel.

About 215 hostages remain in Gaza, Israeli army spokesman Doron Spielman said.

“We’re unaware, many of these cases, if they are dead or alive. We’re trying to collect intelligence,” he said.

Hamas is expected to free 50 hostages during the ceasefire in exchange for 150 Palestinian prisoners, part of an agreement struck after talks involving Israel, Palestinian militant groups, Qatar, Egypt and the US.

In Tel Aviv, the smiling faces of freed hostages were projected onto the walls of the art museum, with the words: “I’m home.”

Near a hospital in the Tel Aviv suburb of Petah Tikva, people applauded and held up Israeli flags as helicopters flew in freed captives.

“I am determined to help my family recover from the terrible trauma and loss we went through,” said Yoni Asher, whose wife Doron and two daughters, aged two and four, were freed after 49 days held hostage in Gaza.

“It’s allowed to feel joy and it’s allowed to shed a tear,” Asher said in a video released by the Hostage Families Forum. — Sheila Crisostomo