Freed Hamas Hostage Reunites With Family in Philippines
Jerusalem, 19 December, 2023 (TPS) -- MANILA, Dec. 19, 2023 (PNA)
Overseas Filipino worker Gelienor “Jimmy” Pacheco is back in the country less than one month after Hamas freed him from captivity in Gaza.
Pacheco was greeted at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 1 in Parañaque City on Monday by his wife, three children, officials of the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) and Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA), and Israeli Ambassador to the Philippines Ilan Fluss.
During the press briefing, Pacheco recounted how his elderly employer was killed by the Hamas terrorists while he was taken as hostage.
My employer went inside the shelter where he stayed, then at around 7:30, I looked out the windows and saw that there were terrorists that have already entered. They were outside,” he told the media.
Pacheco’s employer instructed him to lock the door and secure himself.
“But I decided to stay with him until his last breath. He was killed while sleeping at the shelter around 8:30. He was shot three times, two bullets hit my legs and another,” Pacheco said.
DMW Officer-In-Charge, Undersecretary Hans Leo Cacdac, assured Pacheco that will receive assistance from the government, while OWWA Administrator Arnell Ignacio said the OFW’s children will be given scholarships.
He said President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. himself directed them to assist Pacheco and his family. Pacheco has three children.
Cacdac said initial assistance has already been given to Pacheco. Israel is also providing assistance, as well as a business package for his wife.
Ambassador Fluss said he was happy that Pacheco had safely returned to his family.
He said Pacheco conveyed his desire to go back to Israel for work, despite his experience with the Hamas.
“I am also very happy to know that Jimmy wants to go back to Israel to work, because Israel is home, people are friendly, warm, and welcoming and treat all OFWs in Israel very well,” Fluss said.
“As a victim of terror, he is entitled to all the support like any other Israeli, who’s a victim of terror. Talking to Jimmy, I know that he already got psychological support and assistance in Israel, and the Israeli government has been with him since the moment he’s out of Gaza, in the hospital, and until his arrival here,” he added.
Fluss said monthly financial assistance will be given by the Israeli government to Pacheco’s family, aside from other forms of assistance for his family, especially for the education of his children.
Pacheco was held captive by the Hamas group for 49 days and was part of the first batch of hostages freed on the first day of truce between Hamas and Israel.
At least 1,200 people were killed in Hamas’s attacks on Israeli communities near the Gaza border on Oct. 7. The number of men, women, children, soldiers and foreigners held captive in Gaza by Hamas is now believed to be 129. Other people remain unaccounted for as Israeli authorities continue to identify bodies and search for human remains.
