Tovic Salvador

This long exposure shows trails from projectile interceptions by Israel's Iron Dome missile defence system over Tel Aviv on February 28, 2026. The United States and Israel launched strikes against Iran on February 28, with Israel's public broadcaster reporting that the Iranian supreme leader had been targeted, as the Islamic republic retaliated with barrages of missiles at Gulf states and Israel. (Photo by JACK GUEZ / AFP)

Article (news)

telavivstrike

David Dizon

ABS-CBN News

<p>The Philippine government is now working on the repatriation of the remains of Mary Anne Velazquez de Vera, a Filipino caregiver who was <a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/world/2026/3/1/pinay-caregiver-in-israel-killed-in-airstrike-marcos-jr-2117">killed by shrapnel</a> during an airstrike in Israel over the weekend. </p><p>Department of Migrant Wokers Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac said his office and the Philippine Embassy in Tel Aviv are coordinating with De Vera&#x27;s husband, who is also a caregiver in Israel, for the repatriation of the remains. </p><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/177241513083120260302000348_AFP__20260228__99CH8RX__v2__HighRes__IsraelIranUsConflict.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">This long exposure shows trails from projectile interceptions by Israel&#x27;s Iron Dome missile defence system over Tel Aviv on February 28, 2026. The United States and Israel launched strikes against Iran on February 28, with Israel&#x27;s public broadcaster reporting that the Iranian supreme leader had been targeted, as the Islamic republic retaliated with barrages of missiles at Gulf states and Israel. <em>Jack Guez, Agence France-Presse</em></span></span></span></div><p>&quot;Nandoon din ang kanyang asawa sa Israel, kapwa niya caregiver at isinasaayos ang pagpapauwi (sa labi),&quot; he said in a DZMM interview.</p><p>He said the government&#x27;s action fund will provide financial assistance to De Vera&#x27;s husband while the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration will give additional help for the funeral and burial.</p><p>President Ferdinand Marcos Jr earlier  said de Vera, who hails from Pangasinan, was helping her elderly patient to get to the bomb shelter but failed to reach it in time.</p><p>“Inabutan na sila bako nakarating. Siya ay namatay dahil tinamaan ng shrapnel ng mga bumagsak na bomba,&quot; the President said.</p><div><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><br/></div><p>De Vera&#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>Residents of Israel use a government app that warns of incoming missile strikes as well as the location of the nearest community shelters. &quot;Hindi nila naabutan na makarating sa shelter after the alarm,&quot; Cacdac said.</p><p>The Israeli embassy in the Philippines 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>The DMW chief urged Filipinos living in Israel to stay indoors or in their work premises and avoid going outdoors for now. </p><p>He added the government has a contingency plan in place in case overseas Filipino workers need to be repatriated. </p><p>&quot;However, that is dependent on the airspace, the availability of flight.  Rest assured na &#x27;yung in-country assistance ay available mula sa DMW, [Overseas Workers Welfare Administration],&quot; he said.</p><div><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/3tgrgdO7oiM?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span><br/></div>

<p>The Philippine government is now working on the repatriation of the remains of Mary Anne Velazquez de Vera, a Filipino caregiver who was <a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/world/2026/3/1/pinay-caregiver-in-israel-killed-in-airstrike-marcos-jr-2117">killed by shrapnel</a> during an airstrike in Israel over the weekend.</p>

The Philippine government is now working on the repatriation of the remains of Mary Anne Velazquez de Vera, a Filipino caregiver who was killed by shrapnel during an airstrike in Israel over the weekend.

Gov't to repatriate remains of OFW caregiver killed by Iran strike in Israel

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Gov't to repatriate remains of OFW caregiver killed by Iran strike in Israel

David Dizon,

ABS-CBN News

Published March 02, 2026 09:49 AM PHT

|

Updated March 02, 2026 09:52 AM PHT

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