BINMALEY, Pangasinan, Philippines — A Filipina caregiver, who was among the four Filipino workers in Israel killed in an attack by Hamas fighters on Oct. 7, is finally home.
Angelyn Aguirre, 32, was given a hero’s welcome by her relatives and townmates as her remains arrived at their residence in Barangay Balagan in this town yesterday.
Her body arrived onboard Etihad Airways Flight 424 at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport on Friday.
Department of Migrant Workers officer-in-charge Hans Leo Cacdac and Overseas Workers Welfare Administration Administrator (OWWA) Arnell Ignacio extended financial assistance to the family of Aguirre.
Pangasinan Gov. Ramon Guico III also handed financial aid from the provincial government.
”She is truly the embodiment of unselfish and compassionate service. She is the supreme example of unbelievable loyalty and boundless mercy,”Guico said.
”She has demonstrated the highest standards of stewardship,” he added.
Ignacio said the Israeli government is coordinating with the OWWA for the grant of a ”lifetime financial assistance” to the family of Aguirre.
In a post on X, Fleur Hassan-Nahoum, deputy mayor of Jerusalem, said Aguirre showed ”unbelievable humanity and loyalty” when she stayed by the side of her elderly patient despite having a chance to flee the attacks.
Aguirre reportedly refused to leave her 70-year-old ward, who was also killed.
She had worked in Israel for six years.
Aguirre’s eldest sister Wilma Bandong said the victim came home in July last year and returned to Israel after two months, just days after her wedding.
Aguirre’s widower is a former overseas worker from Bulacan.