By Liezelle Soriano
The Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) is diligently working to locate two missing Filipinos in Israel amidst the ongoing conflict between Israel and the Hamas group a ranking official said.
However, OWWA Administrator Arnell Ignacio admitted Friday that there haven’t been any recent updates concerning the two missing individuals.
“I fervently hope and pray that they are found, perhaps through a stroke of luck,” Ignacio expressed during a radio interview.
“One of them… the spouse, I personally took her in at OWWA because I felt sympathy for her being there, away from her family, without anyone to turn to. She stayed with us for several days, and we provided her with accommodation to reassure her of our support. Her child was also with her, and we made sure to keep them entertained,” he added.
Despite the lack of updates on the situation of the missing Filipinos, Ignacio assured that OWWA is actively involved in these cases.
In the meantime, authorities are coordinating the repatriation of the remains of the four Filipinos killed in the war.
“We’re arranging the return of the remains of Loreta Alacre from Negros. The flight is scheduled for October 21,” he confirmed.
“I’m just trying to recall all the dates; there are so many of these cases, all happening at once.”
On Thursday, the Department of Foreign Affairs announced the unfortunate loss of another Filipino in Israel, bringing the total number of Filipino fatalities to four.
(ai/mnm)