Daily Tribune‘Just days after expressing concern for Noralin Babadilla’s whereabouts, I am very happy to announce that Noralin is safely back in Israel, becoming the second Filipino released from Gaza’
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Photograph Courtesy of Israel Embassy Noralyn Babadilla
Another Filipino, Noralin Babadilla, is now free from the clutches of Hamas terrorists who held her captive when they attacked Israel on 7 October.
Marcos shared the good news on his social media account Wednesday, four days after the Philippine government confirmed that Jimmy Pacheco, a Filipino caregiver, was one of 22 captives released earlier by Hamas at the early part of the truce with the Israeli government. "Just days after expressing concern for Noralin Babadilla's whereabouts, I am very happy to announce that Noralin is safely back in Israel, becoming the second Filipino released from Gaza," the President said on his official X (formerly Twitter) account.
"With this positive development, I am pleased to inform the nation that all Filipinos affected by the war have been accounted for," he added.
In a separate statement, the Israel Embassy in Manila said Babadilla is undergoing medical evaluation at a Tel Aviv hospital.
The embassy said Babadilla, a caregiver and a dual citizen, was visiting friends in Kibbutz Nirim with her partner, Gidon Babani, when the Hamas attack happened. Babani was killed, while Babadilla was brought to Gaza.
The Israeli embassy said Babadilla and Pacheco "will receive support from the Israeli government as is given to all victims of terror."
"The Israeli government is committed and will do whatever is needed to bring them back home," it added.
Six Filipinos were initially reported missing after the Hamas attack last month, but four of them were later confirmed to have been among the 1,200 people killed, most of them civilians.
Phl thankful
The Department of Foreign Affairs on Wednesday welcomed the release of Babadilla.
In a statement, the DFA extended its gratitude to Qatar and Israel for their roles in the release of hostages during the four-day truce in the Gaza Strip. It also thanked Egypt and the International Committee of the Red Cross for their help.
"We extend our sincere thanks to the State of Israel for agreeing to the conditions which facilitated the release of more hostages, including Ms. Babadilla, and for all the assistance they have provided our nationals in Israel," DFA spokesperson Ma. Teresita Daza said.
"We acknowledge and appreciate the mediation efforts of the State of Qatar that led to the release of Ms. Babadilla, and previously of Mr. Jimmy Pacheco," Daza added.
"We also recognize the support and participation of Egypt and the ICRC and other international organizations in the process," she said.
The Israel and Hamas truce is now its seventh day, with more hostages released in exchange for Palestinian prisoners.
The Israeli Embassy said 150 hostages, including nine children, are still held by Hamas.
10th batch of Pinoys home today
Meanwhile, the 10th batch of overseas Filipino workers from Israel is set to arrive today, the Department of Migrant Workers, or DMW, said on Wednesday.
The group comprising 36 OFWs — 32 caregivers and four hotel workers — is set to touch down at Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 1 at 6:30 p.m. via Philippine Airlines PR731.
Their arrival will bring the total number of repatriates to 335 since the Israel-Hamas war began on 7 October.
DMW Officer-in-Charge Hans Leo Cacdac said the total number of repatriates from Lebanon is now 37.
With Gilmore Leaño
