Pinoy among hostages freed

MANILA, Philippines — A Filipino was among the hostages freed by Palestinian militant group Hamas last Friday and is now with officials of the Philippine embassy in Israel, President Marcos announced yesterday.

“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 (Nov. 24). He is now safely in the custody of officials in our Israel embassy,” the President said in a post on X.

“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 added.

Marcos also expressed concern over the whereabouts of Noralyn Babadilla, another Filipino believed to be among the hostages of Hamas.

Marcos said the Philippine government is “sparing no effort to locate and secure her if she is indeed found to be one of the hostages.”

“We pray for the continued success of the truce and for all hostages to be released,” the Chief Executive said.

Pacheco, 33, was among the more than 200 civilians seized by marauding Hamas militants in Israel near the border of Gaza on Oct. 7. The surprise attack claimed the lives of 1,200 people, mostly Israelis.

In response to the Hamas-perpetrated bloodbath, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared “a state of war” with the militants and immediately ordered bombardment of Gaza. Israel’s retaliatory attacks have since killed 15,000, according to the Hamas government in Gaza. Released along with Pacheco were 13 Israelis and 10 Thais.

The Philippine embassy in Tel Aviv said Pacheco appears to be in good health.

“He is able to walk and move without difficulty and speaks coherently,” it said in a statement.

In his conversation with the embassy, Pacheco shared what kept him strong throughout his ordeal.

“I am alive because of the Lord. Even on the day they abducted me, I was really thinking about my family. While I was in Gaza, I just wanted to live for my family,” the 33-year-old caregiver told Philippine Ambassador to Israel Pedro Laylo Jr., who received him at the Shamir Medical Center outside Tel Aviv. There, Pacheco was also