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PH Embassy in Israel confirms release of Pinoy taken hostage by Hamas
PH Embassy in Israel confirms release of Pinoy taken hostage by Hamas
Michael Delizo,
ABS-CBN News
Published Nov 26, 2023 12:45 AM PHT
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Updated Nov 26, 2023 07:06 PM PHT
Photo from the Philippine Embassy in Israel.
(UPDATED) The Philippine Embassy in Israel has confirmed that a Filipino was among those released from the war-torn Gaza on November 24.
"It is with great joy that the Embassy confirms that our kababayan, Mr. Gelienor 'Jimmy' Pacheco, is one of the hostages released from Gaza," the embassy said in a statement on Saturday.
Ambassador Pedro "Junie" Laylo, Jr. and Department of Migrant Workers Labor Attache Rodolfo Gabasan have personally received Pachacho at the Shamir Medical Center outside Tel Aviv where he is being taken care of.
"Jimmy is now back in Israel and continues to undergo a full physical and psychological examination. Jimmy is in high spirits and appears to be in good health. He is able to walk and move without difficulty and speaks coherently," the embassy said.
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Meanwhile, Vice President Sara Duterte expressed her gratitude to those who helped facilitate the release of hostages.
"Ipinapaabot ko ang aking taos pusong pasasalamat sa pamahalaan ng Qatar, Egypt, at Iran sa napakahalagang tulong ng mga ito para mapalaya ang Pilipino na si Jimmy Pacheco kasama ang iba pang mga bihag ng Hamas nitong Sabado," she said in a statement.
"Ang kaligtasan ng ating kababayan na si Pacheco ay tagumpay din ng Marcos Administration sa pangunguna ng Department of Foreign Affairs, lalong lalo na ng mga kawani ng embahada ng Pilipinas sa Israel," Duterte added.
She likewise hoped for the release of the other Filipino hostage.
Pacheco's release came after an agreement between Israel and Hamas for a four-day humanitarian truce.
The agreement included the release of hostages by Hamas, while the Israel side will release 150 Palestinians from jail.
Pacheco was abducted during the Hamas attack on Kibbutz Nir Oz on October 7. He was freed after 49 days of captivity.
“The holy day of shabbat brought us the wonderful blessing of the release of the hostages, including our kababayan. The Filipino nation shares the joy of Israeli and Thai families who are now receiving this good news. We continue to pray for the release of the remaining hostages in Gaza”, said Ambassador Laylo.
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