By Darryl John Esguerra
MANILA – President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Tuesday expressed condolences and ordered immediate government assistance following the death of another Filipino in a missile attack in Haifa, Israel.
“Nakikiramay tayo sa pamilya ng ating kababayang nasawi sa naganap na missile attack sa Haifa, Israel. Kasama nating nagluluksa ang kanyang pamilya sa gitna ng isang trahedyang hindi dapat maranasan ninuman (We extend our condolences to the family of our compatriot who was killed in the missile attack in Haifa, Israel. His family mourns with us in the midst of a tragedy that no one should have to experience),” Marcos said in a social media post.
The President said he has directed concerned agencies to extend full support to the victim’s family and ensure the swift repatriation of her remains.
“I have directed our agencies to extend full assistance to the family and to ensure the immediate repatriation of her remains. Nakaantabay ang ating Embahada upang maibigay ang lahat ng kinakailangang tulong (Our Embassy stands ready to provide all necessary assistance),” he said.
The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) earlier confirmed that a Filipino woman was killed in a missile strike on a residential area in Haifa on April 5, marking the second Filipino fatality amid the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.
The Israel Embassy in Manila identified the victim as 29-year-old Lucille Jane Gershovich, who was killed together with her Israeli husband, Dmitry Gershovich, and parents-in-law, Vladimir Gershovich and Lena Ostrovsky.
The first reported Filipino fatality in the conflict was caregiver Mary Ann Velazquez de Vera, who died during earlier attacks in Israel. Her remains were repatriated weeks later due to airspace restrictions in the region.
Marcos said the government continues to closely monitor the situation in the region, stressing that the safety of Filipinos remains the top priority.
“Patuloy nating binabantayan ang sitwasyon sa rehiyon. Ang kaligtasan ng bawat Pilipino ang ating pangunahing prayoridad (We continue to monitor the situation in the region. The safety of every Filipino is our top priority),” he said.
He also called for unity and support for the bereaved family.
“Nakikiisa ang buong sambayanan sa kanilang pagdadalamhati. Nawa’y matagpuan nila ang lakas at kapanatagan sa gitna ng trahedyang ito (The entire nation joins in their grief. May they find strength and solace in the midst of this tragedy),” the President said. (PNA)
