President Ferdinand 'Bongbong' Marcos Jr. on Wednesday, Nov. 29, announced that Palestinian militant group Hamas released another Filipino hostage.
"Just days after expressing concern for Noralyn Babadilla’s whereabouts, I am very happy to announce that Noralyn is safely back in Israel, becoming the second Filipino released from Gaza," Marcos said in a post on his X (formerly Twitter) account.
He said he entrusts the officials at the Philippine Embassy in Tel Avi to coordinate with Israeli authorities to attend to Babadilla's needs.
According to Marcos, all Filipinos affected by Hamas-Israel war are now "accounted for."
Just days after expressing concern for Noralyn Babadilla's whereabouts, I am very happy to announce that Noralyn is safely back in Israel, becoming the second Filipino released from Gaza.
— Bongbong Marcos (@bongbongmarcos) November 28, 2023
I have entrusted our officials at the Philippine Embassy in Tel Aviv to attend to her needs… pic.twitter.com/ZJTEH7ZVVD
"We extend our sincerest gratitude to Israeli authorities for facilitating Noralyn's release, and for all ongoing assistance to Filipinos in Israel," the President said.
"Our gratitude also goes to Egypt and the State of Qatar for their crucial role in this process over the past several weeks," he added.
Last Nov. 25, Marcos announced that Filipino caregiver Gelienor ‘Jimmy’ Pacheco was among the first group of 24 hostages released by Hamas.
Both Babadilla and Pacheco were taken hostage on October 7 this year, when Hamas launched a surprise attack throughout Israeli towns which prompted Israeli government to declare a “state of war."
