Filipino caregiver in Israel killed during airstrike

MANILA, Philippines – President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. confirmed on Sunday night, March 1, the death of a Filipino worker in the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.

In a statement, Marcos identified the victim as Mary Anne Velazquez Rivera of Pangasinan who was working as a caregiver in Israel.

She reportedly died while assisting her patient to reach a bomb shelter in Israel.

“Siya ay namatay dahil tinamaan ng shrapnel ng mga bumagsak na bomba,” Marcos said, adding that she has already been identified by her husband, who is also an overseas Filipino worker in Israel.

The incident comes after the United States and Israel launched strikes on Iran on Saturday, February 28.

US President Donald Trump claimed Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was killed in the operation. Iranian state media announced Khamenei’s death early on Sunday.

Iran has said it fired missiles and drones mainly at United States military bases in the Gulf as retaliation, but the strikes have also caused impacts in civilian and commercial areas within several Gulf cities.

Marcos assured Rivera’s family that the government will provide all necessary assistance.

He added that Philippine embassies and labor officials have been on alert since the fighting began and are closely coordinating to ensure Filipinos’ safety.

The Armed Forces of the Philippines earlier said it “stands ready to augment possible repatriation and crisis response efforts for Filipinos in affected areas, when directed.” – With reports from Reuters/Rappler.com