Freed Hamas captive Jimmy Pacheco shares his ordeal
He said he is willing to return to work in Israel if that meant a more secure future for his children.

A freed Hamas hostage, OFW Gelienor "Jimmy" Pacheco, is reunited with his family on Monday,18 December 2023, after spending 49 days in captivity in conflict-torn Gaza. Israel Ambassador Ilan Fluss and other government officials greeted him upon his arrival at the NAIA Terminal. | Photo KING RODRIGUEZ.
Filipino freed captive, Gelienor "Jimmy" Pacheco, a caretaker, shared his traumatic experience on Tuesday during his arrival at Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 1.
In a press briefing, Pacheco said that the Hamas militants shot his patient three times while he was hit on his thighs.
"On 7 October, at 6:30 in the morning, Israel issued an alert about the incoming rockets. I thought it was not a serious thing to be afraid of because the launching of rockets is quite normal in Israel, especially near the border where I am working, just one and a half kilometers away. But my patient and I went to the bomb shelter. "
"Around 7:30 a.m., I peeked outside the window, and saw that terrorists had already entered. I told my told my patient that someone has entered. My patient advised me to lock all the doors and prioritize my safety because he is already old, but I chose to stay with him until his last breath. Then my patient was killed while sleeping. He was shot three times; two of the shots hit my leg," Pacheco related.
When asked if Pacheco has plans to go back to Israel, he responded that he is willing to return to secure his children's future.
"I will return to Israel to secure the future of my children. Despite my past, my goal is to provide for my children's needs because that is what parents do. It is our responsibility to take good care of our children. I also don't want my children to experience what I have been through since childhood. Even the government pledged that they will be giving me a lifetime pension, I don't want to rely on that because having a job is still better. If that is what they promised, then it's better," Pacheco said.

