Last Pinoy hostage released by Hamas

MANILA, Philippines — The last Filipino hostage of Hamas has been released, President Marcos announced yesterday, noting that all Philippine nationals affected by the Oct. 7 attack on Israel by the Palestinian militant group have been accounted for.

“Just days after expressing concern for Noralyn Babadilla’s whereabouts, I am very happy to announce that Noralyn is safely back in Israel, becoming the second Filipino released from Gaza,” the President said on his official X account.

The Israeli embassy also confirmed the release of Babadilla from Gaza.

“With this positive development, I am pleased to inform the nation that all Filipinos affected by the war have been accounted for,” Marcos said.

Babadilla is currently undergoing medical evaluation at Tel HaShomer Hospital in Israel to ensure her well-being.

The caregiver and her partner Gideon Babani had visited close friends in Kibbutz Nirim on Oct. 7.

Babani was murdered by Hamas terrorists while Babadilla was taken captive for 53 days.

Marcos has instructed Philippine embassy officials in Tel Aviv to attend to the needs of Babadilla in coordination with the Israeli authorities.

The President also extended his gratitude to Israeli authorities for facilitating the release of Babadilla and for all ongoing assistance to Filipinos in Israel.

He likewise thanked the governments of Egypt and Qatar “for their crucial role in this process over the past several weeks.”

Following her release from captivity, the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) has assured Babadilla of full support and assistance upon her return to the country.

DMW officer-in-charge Hans Cacdac said the agency remains resilient and devoted to providing care and assistance to OFWs and their families, especially those who wish to come home and be reunited with their loved ones.

Meanwhile, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said the Philippines “acknowledge and appreciate the mediation efforts of the State of Qatar that led to the release of Ms. Babadilla, and previously of Mr. Jimmy Pacheco.”

The DFA also recognized the support and participation of Egypt, the International Committee of the Red Cross and other international organizations in the process.

“We remain committed to looking after the welfare of Filipinos affected by the ongoing conflict, and share the hope for the eventual cessation of all hostilities in the region,” the DFA said.

Babadilla and Pacheco will receive support given by the Israeli government to all victims of terror.

Meanwhile, 36 more overseas Filipino workers are coming home from war-torn Israel today.

The DMW reported that the 10th batch of returnees comprised of 32 caregivers and four hotel workers is arriving on board Philippine Airlines flight PR 731 at 6:30 p.m.

Condemn Hamas

Israeli Ambassador llan Fluss questioned the failure of human rights organizations to condemn the atrocities of Hamas, in a speech represented by Gladys Baniqued of the Israeli embassy during the Philippine National Prayer Breakfast in Manila.

“November 25 is recognized as the International Day of Elimination of Violence Against Women. Surprisingly, since October 7, none of these human rights organizations has heard a word to condemn Hamas. I implore every woman and man today to speak up for Israeli women. Your voices must be heard. This is but a glimpse into what my country faces, a deadly terrorist organization, with a sole goal of annihilating the state of Israel and all of its citizens,” Fluss said

“The same terror organization murdered 1,200 people in one single day, among them are four Filipinos and kidnapped 240 civilians, foreign nationals, women, children,” he added.

“In our collective mourning, let us find unity and compassion. Let us find light in the darkness where the release of some hostages from Hamas captivity, including Filipino Jimmy Pacheco as we are waiting for additional 150 hostages to come home,” Baniqued said in reading the speech.

Baniqued said the Israeli embassy hopes that the bond between the Philippines and Israel will continue to grow. — Bella Cariaso, Pia Lee-Brago, Mayen Jaymalin