Envoy: Fate of 2 Pinoy captives of Hamas uncertain

MANILA, Philippines — The Israeli government has approved a deal that will see the release of 50 hostages held by Hamas during a four-day “pause” in fighting, even as Ambassador Ilan Fluss said there is still no information on two missing Filipinos believed among those held hostage.

“No information on the two Filipinos unaccounted for,” Fluss said yesterday during a visit to The STAR office in Parañaque.

The Philippines has raised with Israeli President Isaac Herzog the country’s request for confirmation and additional information on the two missing Filipinos possibly kidnapped by the militant Hamas during the Oct. 7 attack on Israel.

Ambassador to Israel Pedro Laylo Jr. joined fellow ambassadors from Thailand, Nepal and Tanzania at a meeting called by Herzog to discuss missing foreign nationals likely held hostage.

Laylo and Herzog talked about the four Filipinos – Angelyn Aguirre, Grace Cabrera, Paul Vincent Castelvi and Loreta Alacre – who were murdered during the attacks. The ambassador informed the president that some of them were killed while taking care of their wards.

The envoy said the embassy continues to request confirmation and additional information on the possible kidnapping of the two remaining Filipino nationals – Gelienor Pacheco and Noralin Babadilla.

Fluss also said that the decision for a pause in fighting was a difficult one but his country is committed to bringing the hostages home.

Israel’s top diplomat in the country said the Israeli government has approved the first stage with at least 50 hostages – women and children – to be released over four days, during which fighting will cease.

He said the release of an additional 10 hostages will result in one additional day in the pause.

“What was approved was a four-day pause, children and women will be released. Hamas has to gather them and bring to Red Cross,” Fluss said. “It’s not a ceasefire but a pause to allow the return of hostages.”

The agreement, expected to be implemented today, included the release of 50 Israeli women and children hostages in exchange for the release of 150 Palestinian women and children held in Israeli prisons who are not linked to murder.

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