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Filipina caregiver killed in Israel amid Iranian airstrike, President Marcos confirms
The victim – who was from Pangasinan, in northern Philippines – died after being hit by shrapnel while assisting her ward in getting to a bomb shelter
- PUBLISHED: Sun 1 Mar 2026, 6:00 PM
[Editor's Note: Follow Khaleej Times live blog amid Israeli, US strikes on Iran for the latest regional developments.]
Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. confirmed on Sunday that a Filipina caregiver was killed in Israel, following an Iranian retaliatory airstrike.
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In a short video message, Marcos identified the victim — the first reported casualty of the ongoing crisis in the Middle East – as Mary Ann Velasquez de Vera, a native of Pangasinan, in northern Philippines.
Marcos said in Filipino: “de Vera was identified by her husband, who is also an OFW (overseas Filipino worker) caregiver in Israel. The caregiver died after being hit by shrapnel from falling bombs, while assisting her ward in getting to a bomb shelter.”
"We extend our heartfelt condolences and we assure her family of our full support," said Marcos, adding: "We continue to monitor the situation of all our compatriots in the Middle East. We remain supportive and ready to respond to their needs."
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