AFTER 49-DAY CAPTIVITY Gelienor 鈥淛immy鈥� Pacheco (center) receives medical attention at Shamir Medical Center in Israel when this photo was taken in November 2023, just a day after he was released by Hamas militants along with 23 other hostages. With him are Philippine Ambassador to Israel Pedro Laylo Jr. (right) and labor attach茅 Rodolfo Gabasan. 鈥擯hoto courtesy of the Philippine Embassy in Israel (FILE)
MANILA, Philippines 鈥� Thirty-three-year-old Jimmy Pacheco, one of the two Filipinos previously held hostage by Palestinian group Hamas, has finally arrived in the Philippines.
The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) and its attached agencies welcomed Pacheco on Monday along with other Filipinos returning home in time for the holidays.
Pacheco was released by Hamas in November after he was taken hostage on October 7.
But despite his traumatic experience, Pacheco said he鈥檒l go back to Israel and continue his work as an Overseas Filipino Worker.
鈥淕aya ng sinabi ko sa asawa ko, babalik po ako ng Israel dahil kahit ganun po ang nakaraan ko, [gusto kong] maibigay 鈥榶ung gusto kong gawin sa kanila. Ganun naman po dapat ang mga magulang,鈥� said Pacheco in press conference on Monday.
(Just like what I told my wife, I will go back to Israel because I want to provide for my family. That鈥檚 how parents should be.)
鈥淎yaw ko pong maranasan nila 鈥榶ung paghihirap ko simula noong bata hanggang ngayon na naghihirap pa rin. Ayaw ko pong iparanas sa kanila kaya babalik po ako,鈥� he added.
(I don鈥檛 want them to experience the same suffering I鈥檝e experienced since I was a child. I don鈥檛 want them to experience that, that鈥檚 why I am going back.)
READ: Bongbong Marcos: Gov鈥檛 secured last Filipino held by Hamas in Gaza
Pacheco said he is looking forward to spending the holiday season with his family, noting that it will be the very first Christmas he鈥檒l spend with them since he became an OFW.
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In the same press conference, DMW Officer-in-Charge Hans Cacdac said President Ferdinand 鈥淏ongbong鈥� Marcos Jr. has directed Philippine government agencies to implement a whole of government approach and help the Pacheco family.
鈥淢eron nang paunang assistance na naibigay, but of course, upon his return, we will mobilize further our resources in terms of pangkabuhayan,鈥� said Cacdac.
(We鈥檝e given them initial assistance, but of course, upon his return, we will further mobilize our resources in terms of source of living.)