The overseas Filipino worker (OFW) who had been held captive in Israel by the Palestinian militant group Hamas has been finally released, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. confirmed on Saturday, November 25.
“I am overjoyed to confirm that a Filipino, Mr. Gelienor ‘Jimmy’ Pacheco, was among the first group of 24 hostages released by the Hamas yesterday,” the President said on his official X [formerly Twitter] account.
I am overjoyed to confirm that a Filipino, Mr. Gelienor “Jimmy” Pacheco, was among the first group of 24 hostages released by the Hamas yesterday.
— Bongbong Marcos (@bongbongmarcos) November 24, 2023
He is now safely in the custody of officials in our Israel Embassy.
I salute the work of the Philippine Foreign Service in…
According to Marcos, the released victim is currently under the custody of the Philippine Embassy in Israel.
The Filipino victim was identified as Gelienor “Jimmy” Pacheco, 33, a caregiver that was taken hostage on October 7.
The release has been made following the agreement between Israel and Hamas for a four-day humanitarian truce.
Under the agreement, Hamas will release hostages, while the Israeli government will free 150 Palestinians from jail. The agreement includes a complete ceasefire and cessation of air operations in Gaza.
The Chief Executive lauded the Philippine Foreign Services and thanked the State of Qatar for their invaluable assistance in securing the freedom of Pacheco.
"I salute the work of the Philippine Foreign Service in securing his release, and once again thank the State of Qatar for their invaluable assistance in making Jimmy’s release possible," he said.
Marcos added that the government remains concerned about the whereabouts of Filipino national Noralyn Babadilla, who is reportedly one of the foreign nationals held hostage by the Hamas group.
In a separate statement, the Philippine Embassy in Israel expressed their relief over the incident.
