(UPDATE) THE remains of a Filipino caregiver who was killed by an Iranian missile strike in Israel at the start of the war in the Middle East arrived early Saturday, the government said.
The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) and the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) said Mary Ann De Vera's husband, Bernie Lavarias, along with DMW Undersecretaries Barnard Olalia, Felicitas Bay, Dominique Rubia-Tutay; OWWA Administrator Patricia Yvonne Caunan; Deputy Administrator Ryan Vincent Uy; Israel Ambassador to the Philippines Dana Kursh; and Agimat party-list Rep. Bryan Revilla were present for the Filipina who died from shrapnel wounds in Tel Aviv.
Kursh also offered her condolences to De Vera’s husband. She met with Lavarias at the OWWA office in Pasay City.
“Mary Ann De Vera, our kababayan who tragically lost her life in Israel, is remembered with profound respect. As her family mourns her passing, the people of Israel share in their grief. We extend our deepest sympathies and stand in solidarity with her loved ones during this time of sorrow,” the Israeli Embassy said on a Facebook post on Saturday.
The OFW’s remains, which arrived in the country at 4:30 a.m. on Saturday, were transported to Pangasinan, her hometown, where she will be brought to her family.
In Israel, Lavarias met on Thursday with the country’s president, Isaac Herzog, who expressed his condolences.
“We are devastated by the terrible loss of Mary Ann. On behalf of the State of Israel, I send my deepest condolences to her family and the entire nation of the Philippines,” Herzog said in a statement.
He then told Lavarias that Israel was grateful to Filipinos like De Vera.
“Mary Ann was an angel. She was a hero, as she saved Mrs. Rachel Shihror during the missile attack. So many Israelis were hurt by and took to heart the loss of Mary Ann,” Herzog said.
“I cannot change this terrible fate, unfortunately, but as a word of some remorse and condolences, I say thank you to you Bernie, and to what you have done. I also want to extend my deepest appreciation for the incredible work and contribution of the Filipino community in Israel. You are deeply respected and loved by the Israeli people,” he added.
De Vera was taking care of Mrs. Shihror before the missile attack at an apartment complex in Tel Aviv.
House Overseas Workers Affairs Committee chairman and Agimat Partylist Rep. Bryan Revilla hailed Filipino caregiver De Vera for her heroism and care for others.
"While we mourn her passing, we honor her heroic act to save a life. Like many other OFWs, she deserves to be welcomed with dignity, respect and honor," Revilla said.
He added that De Vera's death underscores the growing risks faced by Filipinos working in regions affected by armed conflict and geopolitical tensions.
Amid the ongoing war in the region, Revilla stressed the need to strengthen safety protocols and crisis response mechanisms for overseas Filipino workers deployed in high-risk areas.
