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Freed Filipino hostage from Gaza arrives in PH

Philippines | National

Freed Filipino hostage from Gaza arrives in PH

By Joseph Pedrajas

One of the two Filipinos freed by Hamas after being taken hostage to Gaza from Israel has returned home to the Philippines.

Jimmy Pacheco, who was set free on Nov. 24 after 49 days in captivity, arrived in the country on Monday, Dec. 18, and was welcomed by his family, composed of his wife, his children and his mother.

Officials from the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) and the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) as well as Israeli Ambassador to the Philippines Ilan Fluss also welcomed him at Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA).

Photo courtesy of Israeli Ambassador to the Philippines Ilan Fluss

"Masaya po ako na nandito na ako sa Pilipinas. Nakita ko na 'yung mga anak ko, pamilya ko, asawa ko. Parang panaginip lang ito sa akin (I am happy to be here in the Philippines. I already saw my children, my family and my wife. This seems to be a dream)," he told reporters in an interview.

Despite what happened to him, Pacheco said he is still planning to return to Israel to ensure the future of his children.

"Ayaw ko pong maranasan nila ‘yung paghihirap ko simula bata hanggang ngayon na nahihirapan (I don't want them to experience the hardship that I have experienced since I was a child),” he said.

The Philippine government said that scholarship assistance will be given to Pacheco's three children while livelihood assistance will be extended to his family.

Related Tags

Israel Ilan Fluss Gaza Jimmy Pacheco

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