Camille Naredo

Israeli emergency services secure the scene of a missile attack near Bet Shemesh, some 30 kilometres west of Jerusalem on March 1, 2026.

Israeli emergency services secure the scene of a missile attack near Bet Shemesh, some 30 kilometres west of Jerusalem on March 1, 2026. Israeli emergency services announced that several people were injured on March 1, in the Bet Shemesh area (centre) after further Iranian missile strikes, the day after the US and Israel attacked Iran and assassinated its supreme leader. (Photo by AHMAD GHARABLI / AFP)

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CONFLICT

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<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px;display:block" width="960"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1772372539595AFP__20260301__99FG4CP__v3__MidRes__TopshotIsraelUsIranConflict.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="Israeli emergency services secure the scene of a missile attack near Bet Shemesh, some 30 kilometers west of Jerusalem on March 1, 2026. Ahmad Gharabli, AFP" width="960"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Israeli emergency services secure the scene of a missile attack near Bet Shemesh, some 30 kilometers west of Jerusalem on March 1, 2026. <em>Ahmad Gharabli, AFP</em></span></span></span></div><p>MANILA (<strong>UPDATED</strong>) -- A Filipino caregiver in Israel has been killed amid rising tensions in the Middle East, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. announced Sunday.</p><p>This comes in the wake of the United States and Israel’s bombing of Iran and its retaliatory attacks on US military bases in several countries in the Middle East.</p><p>&quot;Ikinalulungkot ko na meron po tayong natanggap na report na meron na pong casualty na Pilipino dito po sa gera na nangyayari po sa Middle East,&quot; Marcos Jr. said in a recorded video published Sunday night, March 1.</p><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/world/2026/3/1/iranian-leader-ali-khamenei-reported-killed-in-us-israel-attack-0833">READ: Trump threatens massive strikes as Iran mourns slain leader<br/></a></div><p>The first Filipino casualty is Mary Anne Velazquez de Vera, a caregiver in Israel who hailed from Pangasinan.</p><p>&quot;Siya po ay isang caregiver sa Israel na tinutulungan ang kanyang alaga para dalhin sa bomb shelter ngunit hindi na po naka-abot sa bomb shelter at inabutan na sila bago sila nakarating,&quot; the president said.</p><p>&quot;Siya ay namatay dahil tinamaan ng shrapnel ng mga bumagsak na bomba,&quot; he added.</p><p>According to the Philippine Embassy in Israel, the victim&#x27;s identity was confirmed through biometric records at the Abu Kabir Forensic Institute, where her husband, who also works in Israel, positively identified her remains.</p><p>&quot;Lahat po ng tulong na kakailanganin ng kanilang pamilya ay ihahatid ng ating pamahalaan,&quot; Marcos Jr. vowed.</p><p>Ambassador Aileen Mendiola also called de Vera&#x27;s husband to convey the Embassy&#x27;s condolences and assured him of the Philippine Government&#x27;s full assistance.</p><p>The <a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://x.com/israelinph/status/2028132948202144071?s=46">Israeli embassy in the Philippines</a> hailed de Vera&#x27;s &quot;selfless&quot; act in assisting her patient to safety. They alleged that an Iranian missile had struck the Filipina&#x27;s apartment in Tel Aviv, leading to serious injuries and eventually her death.</p><p>&quot;Mary Ann, like so many overseas Filipino workers in Israel, exemplified resilience, compassion, and quiet strength,&quot; the embassy said. &quot;Israel joins the profound sorrow of her family and the Filipino community.&quot; </p><p>&quot;We mourn together and honor Mary Ann&#x27;s memory with dignity and respect.&quot;</p><p>Marcos, meanwhile, assured that his government has been monitoring the situation and welfare of overseas Filipinos in the Middle East. </p><p>&quot;Asahan po ninyo na kapag mayroong tayong mai-rereport ay irereport ko po sa inyo kaagad,&quot; he added.</p><p>On Sunday, the Israeli army  announced that it was again launching &quot;large-scale&quot; strikes targeting the &quot;heart of Tehran&quot;.</p><p>The Israeli military also claimed it had destroyed roughly half of Iran&#x27;s missile stockpiles in the previous war in June 2025, adding the Islamic republic had been producing dozens of surface-to-surface missiles each month.</p><p>Meanwhile, Iran President Masoud Pezeshkian said the killing of supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was a &quot;declaration of war against Muslims&quot; on Sunday, vowing vengeance.</p><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/world/2026/3/1/iranian-leader-ali-khamenei-reported-killed-in-us-israel-attack-0833">READ: Iranian leader Ali Khamenei killed in US, Israel attack</a></div><p>Iranian state television reported Khamenei&#x27;s death in the early hours of Sunday, broadcasting archive images with a black banner.</p><p>Iranian media also reported the deaths of his daughter, son-in-law and granddaughter.  -- <strong>with Agence France-Presse</strong></p><div><br/></div><div><strong>RELATED VIDEO:</strong></div><div><strong><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/u6__XxOZr88?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span></strong><br/></div>

<p>A Filipina caregiver in Israel has been killed in an airstrike, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. announced, amid rising tensions in the Middle East.</p>

A Filipina caregiver in Israel has been killed in an airstrike, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. announced, amid rising tensions in the Middle East.

Pinoy caregiver in Israel killed amid Middle East airstrikes—Marcos Jr.

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Pinoy caregiver in Israel killed amid Middle East airstrikes—Marcos Jr.

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Published March 01, 2026 09:17 PM PHT

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Updated March 02, 2026 12:09 AM PHT

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