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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider OFW recalls Hamas captivity: Moving along tunnels; surviving on water, dates

OFW recalls Hamas captivity: Moving along tunnels; surviving on water, dates

Published Dec 23, 2023 12:23 am

At A Glance

  • According to the Presidential Communications Office (PCO), the Filipino caregiver recounted the attack and how their kibbutz was infiltrated by the group that shot his Israeli ward to death.

Caregiver Jimmy Pacheco has recalled his experience in the hands of Hamas, including moving from one tunnel to another and surviving his over 40 days in captivity with just dates and water.

Pacheco, Jesalva (from right) (Malacañang photo)
SURVIVING HAMAS — Filipino caregivers (from right) Jimmy Pacheco and Camille Jesalva share their experience under the hands of Hamas, during their meeting with President Ferdinand 'Bongbong' Marcos Jr. in Malacañan on Dec. 22, 2023. (Malacañang photo)

Pacheco shared his story with President Marcos during their meeting in Malacañan on Friday, Dec. 22.

According to the Presidential Communications Office (PCO), the Filipino caregiver recounted the attack and how their kibbutz was infiltrated by the group that shot his Israeli ward to death.

"He also told the President about his ordeal while in captivity together with other Israelis and how they moved from one tunnel to another to avoid Israeli troops amid heavy bombardment," it said.

"He survived (by) eating a meager ration of dates and water in his more than 40 days of captivity in Gaza," it added.

Pacheco is one of the two known Filipinos held hostage by the Palestinian militant group during their rampage in southern Israel on Oct. 7 that resulted in the death of over 1,000 people.

He was released on Nov. 24 on the first truce and returned to the Philippines on Dec. 18.

Pacheco was joined by Camille Jesalva, another caregiver in Israel who became an instant hero in Israel after her story during the Hamas attack went public.

The Israeli public admired the 31-year-old Filipina's courage, dedication, and loyalty after she refused to leave her employer, 95-year-old patient Nitza Hefetz, during Hamas' onslaught.

She and Nitza were residing in Nirim Kibbutz on the Gaza-Israel border, which Hamas attacked on Oct. 7.

When several militants entered their home, Jesalva reportedly offered her money that she was supposed to spend for her planned vacation in the Philippines.

They were later rescued by responding Israel Defense Forces (IDF) troops.

President Marcos told the two overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) to document their experience to let the people know what they had gone through.

“Napakabigat naman nung experience niyo. Isulat ninyo o i-video ninyo (You had a grave experience. Write or make a video about it),” Marcos said.

“Lahat ng repatriate, ikuwento sila, para malaman ng tao kung ano yung pinagdaanan nila. Yung Israeli, mahal naman tayo, eh (We should tell the story of all repatriates so the people would know their experience. The Israelis love us)," he added.

Related Tags

Bongbong Marcos Overseas Fililpino Workers (OFWs) PH-Israel Camille Jesalva Hamas attack Jimmy Pacheco President Marcos
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