'Generous, reliable': Family remembers slain OFW in Israel

A family’s search for their missing relative in Israel ended tragically after the Philippine government confirmed that the migrant worker was one of the 300 victims of the violent attacks by the Palestinian militant group Hamas on Israel.

In a report by GMA Regional TV One Western Visayas’ Aileen Pedreso on ''24 Oras,'' the kin of Loreta Alacre, an overseas Filipino worker (OFW) from Negros Occidental, remembered her as a generous person. 

“I regret to inform you that yes, it is confirmed that there is a third Filipino casualty. A 49-year-old woman from Negros Occidental,” said Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Undersecretary Eduardo de Vega on Friday.

The DFA said the bereaved family was informed of Loreta’s demise prior to the announcement.

“Ako po yung kausap ng Ambassador. Kinonfirm niya po sa akin na isa yung kapatid namin na nasawi,” Ailen Alacre, the victim’s sister, said.

(I talked with the ambassador, and he confirmed that our sister died in the attack.)

Anabella Alacre, one of Loreta’s siblings, said, “Sana ay dalhin siya ng Diyos sa kanyang Kaharian at makapagpahinga siya.”

(I hope that God will bring her to His kingdom and that she will have eternal rest.)

As a breadwinner, Loreta’s family said they have always relied on her.

“Matulungin na tiyahin. Sa kanya lang kami nakatikim ng mga pagkain at damit na mula sa ibang bansa. 'Yan ang hindi namin malilimutan sa kanya. Akala namin buhay siya, na na-trap lang siya or ano. Umasa kami na buhay siya kaya masakit kasi wala namang kasalanan ang tiyahin namin,” Edchell Sabanal, the victim’s nephew, said.

(She’s a generous aunt. One of the most memorable things about her is how she would always give us imported food and clothes. We hoped she was alive. It was painful to know that she died because she did not do anything wrong.)

The bereaved family is appealing for help with the repatriation of Loreta’s remains.

Meanwhile, the government vowed to extend assistance to the kin of the slain OFW.

“Based on the instruction, ay magbibigay ng tulong, the utmost. Lahat ng tulong that is possible doon sa families, loved ones that are left behind,” said Department of Migrant Workers officer-in-charge Hans Leo Cacdac.

(Based on the instructions, we will provide the utmost help to them. Assistance will be given to the families and loved ones that are left behind.)

Israel is home to at least 30,000 workers from the Philippines, most of them caregivers, while 167 Filipinos are in the Gaza Strip.

On Thursday, the Philippines placed Gaza under Alert Level 3 amid the ongoing reprisal strikes by Israel. Alert Level 3 means voluntary repatriation. —Sundy Locus/VBL, GMA Integrated News