Kin of OFW Noralyn Babadilla say her release 'best' Christmas gift

For the loved ones of Noralyn “Nataly” Babadilla, the recent release of the Filipina caregiver from the captivity of the Hamas militants was the best Christmas gift for their family. 

Babadilla is among the 81 kidnap victims the Hamas group freed under a truce between the militant group and the Israeli government. 

In Sandra Aguinaldo’s report on “24 Oras” Wednesday, her family in Mataas na Kahoy, Batangas expressed relief over her release. 

“Ito na siguro 'yung pinaka-advanced at pinakamasayang regalo sa Christmas na ibinigay ng Panginoon,” Gerald Agojo, Noralyn’s nephew, said. 

(This may be the most advanced and best Christmas gift that God has given to us.)

Mario Babadilla, the victim’s husband, shared the sentiment, saying: Sabi ko eh, siya eh maraming salamat sa Panginoong Diyos,” he added. 

(I knew it. Thank you God.)

Mary Agojo, the victim’s aunt, said she never doubted Noralyn’s safety.

“Ang aking iniisip eh Panginoon. Hindi ko inisip na siya eh namatay. Hindi ko inisip na hindi na siya makakabalik,” Mary added. 

(I have faith in God. I never thought she was dead or she would never return.)

Babadilla is now undergoing medical assessment with other released hostages. 

With this development, the Israeli Embassy in Manila earlier said all Filipino nationals have now been accounted for and will be receiving benefits and support that Israel has been providing other victims.

“Our thoughts and prayers remain for the safe release of the 150+ hostages, including 9 children, still held in captivity by the terror organization Hamas. The Israeli government is committed and will do whatever is needed to bring all the hostages back home,” the statement read.

Babadilla has been working in Israel for around 30 years now. She holds a dual citizen passport and was visiting her friends at Kibbutz Nirim with her partner, Gideon Babani, when Hamas attacked Israel on October 7.

Babani was killed during the attacks and Babadilla was taken captive by the militant group for 53 days before her release.

“We are very grateful. There was no consideration other than simply, goodwill. Wala ‘yung babayaran namin para mas mabilis. No, nothing like that,” said Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Eduardo de Vega. 

(We are very grateful. There was no consideration other than simply, goodwill. It’s not true you have to pay to speed up the process. Nothing like that.)

Meanwhile, OFW Jimmy Pacheco explained why he lost weight while under Hamas captivity. 

“Natural lang na mamayat ka kasi hindi naman po enough yung food na ibibigay sayo. Tsaka about sa doktor po, about sa kalagayan ko, ok naman po... lalong-lalo na mentally. Ok naman po,” said Pacheco.

(It’s natural to lose weight because we don’t have enough food. I am in a good condition right now, especially, in terms of mental health.)

“Nung nasa city pa ako ng Gaza, wala na akong pag-asang mabuhay at makabalik sa pamilya ko. Humuhugot lang ako ng lakas sa Panginoon dasal ako nang dasal at pangalawa sa mga anak ko, kaya ko ito kako,” he added.

(I thought I will die in Gaza. I was getting my strength from God and my kids.)

The ceasefire between Israel and Hamas began at 7 a.m. on Friday, the first pause in the near-seven-week-old war, according to a report by Reuters.

The war between Israel and Hamas, which is based in Gaza, started on October 7 when the Palestinian Islamist group launched deadly attacks on southern Israel, killing 1,200 people and taking more than 200 hostages.

Israel retaliated with air strikes and later launched a ground offensive in Gaza.—Sundy Locus/LDF, GMA Integrated News