Freed Pinoy now out of hospital — DFA

The Israel-based Filipino caregiver who was among those freed by the Hamas extremist group has been discharged from the hospital, the Department of Foreign Affairs said Monday.

DFA Undersecretary for Migrant Workers Affairs Eduardo de Vega said Gelienor "Jimmy" Pacheco received medical evaluations at Shamir Medical Center, one of the largest government hospitals in Israel.

"[He is] out of the hospital and staying at a hotel near the embassy," De Vega told Daily Tribune.

Pacheco, a 33-year-old caregiver, was among the first batch of hostages freed by Hamas following its surprise cross-border attack on Israel on 7 October.

His release was a result of the Qatar-mediated deal for a four-day truce between Israel and Hamas in the Gaza Strip.

The deal includes the release of 50 captives held in the enclave, as well as the release of around 150 Palestinian women and children held in Israeli jails.

Pacheco was one of the two Filipinos missing since the 7 October surprise attack. The other Filipino has been identified as Noralyn Babadilla.

Like Pacheco, Babadilla is believed to have also been taken hostage by Hamas along with over 200 individuals from Israel.

De Vega said Pacheco was not physically hurt by his captors. He, however, was traumatized by the incident.

"He was traumatized by what he experienced. He said he did not have any wounds or anything," De Vega said in a separate interview.

Despite his traumatic experience in the Middle East, Pacheco said he does not have any plans to return to the Philippines for good. He, however, intends to visit the Philippines next month.

"Coming home next month. In December shortly before Christmas. No exact date [yet]," De Vega said. 

Over the weekend, Hamas released 17 hostages held in Gaza, including a 4-year-old American girl in the third batch of hostages.

For its part, the Israeli government freed 39 Palestinian prisoners.