By Joyce Ann L. Rocamora
MANILA – The Philippine government will provide necessary aid to the family of Mary Ann De Vera, the Filipino national killed during an Iranian strike while on her way to shelter in Israel, the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) said on Saturday.
De Vera’s remains arrived in Manila on Saturday morning.
DMW Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac said the government, since receiving the report of De Vera’s demise, had coordinated possible assistance to her family in Pangasinan.
De Vera’s remains were received by her husband, Bernie Lavarias, along with other Filipino officials and Israeli Ambassador to the Philippines Dana Kursh.
“Laking pasasalamat natin una sa State of Israel dahil ganoon na lamang ang kanilang pag-facilitate ng pagpapauwi ng labi ni (We are very grateful to the State of Israel for facilitating the repatriation of the remains of) OFW [overseas Filipino worker] Mary Ann,” Cacdac said during a press briefing at Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3 in Pasay City.
“Pinag-utos din ng ating mahal na Pangulo na mag-coordinate sa Israeli side kina Ambassador Dana Kirsch. At of course, ‘yung ating Ambasador sa Tel Aviv, si Ambassador Aileen Mendiola-Rau, so joint effort ito (President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. also ordered us to coordinate with the Israeli side like Ambassador Dana Kursh, and of course, our Ambassador in Tel Aviv, Ambassador Aileen Mendiola-Rau, so this is a joint effort),” he added.
Overseas Workers Welfare Administration chief Patricia Yvonne Caunan said they will personally visit her relatives in Pangasinan on Monday. (PNA)
