PH Embassy officials visit rescued caregiver in Israel

PHILIPPINE Embassy officials in Tel Aviv visited a Filipino injured during the rescue operations by the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) after the attacks by Hamas militants in southern Israel.

Ambassador Pedro «Junie» Laylo Jr. said Joey Pagsolingan, a caregiver was extracted by the IDF from Kibbutz Be'eri, one of the Israeli villages next to the Gaza Strip which was raided by Hamas last Oct. 7, 2023.

EMBASSY VISIT Philippine Ambassador to Israel Pedro Laylo Jr. (right), along with other embassy officials, visits Joey Pagsolingan, a caregiver injured in the ongoing Israeli-Hamas war. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

Ambassador Laylo said Pagsolingan sustained a gunshot wound on his left arm, which required surgery. He is now recuperating at the Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center (Ichilov).

The Philippine envoy, along with Consul General Anthony Achilles Mandap and Political Attache Katheryne Wendy Cruz, was at the hospital on Thursday, October 19, for a visit to the underground emergency room for mass casualty incidents, medical airlift capabilities, and to meet and listen to survivors of the Hamas attacks.

Ambassador Laylo thanked the IDF for rescuing Filipino nationals as well as the Ichilov medical staff for taking care of Mr. Pagsolingan.

The envoy also expressed appreciation to Filipino community members who regularly visited Pagsolingan and brought food and groceries.

He was also visited by Labor Attache Rodolfo Gabasan and Welfare Officer Dina Ponciano who provided him emergency financial assistance.

Meanwhile, the Philippine Embassy in Tel Aviv continued to ensure the safety and well-being of Filipino Agrostudies trainees in Israel.

On October 16, the Embassy team personally assisted 115 Agrostudies graduates who were scheduled to return to the Philippines long before but whose flights were delayed due to the current crisis.

The Embassy coordinated with the Philippine Consulate General in Dubai for their seamless transit in the UAE en route to Manila.

The Embassy assisted 68 Agrostudies graduates from the same batch, who left Israel on October 11.

The latest batch consisting of 313 Agrostudies trainees remain in Israel to continue their training.