MANILA, Philippines — The remains of Filipina caregiver Mary Ann De Vera, who was killed in a missile attack in Israel on February 28, arrived in the Philippines on Saturday, the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) reported.
De Vera was struck by shrapnel while assisting an elderly woman into a bomb shelter during Iranian missile attacks, according to the Philippine Embassy in Israel. Israel’s foreign ministry spokesperson, Oren Marmorstein, said the attack “murdered this Philippine caregiver.”
De Vera’s remains were accompanied by her widower, Bernie Lavarias, who recently met with Israeli President Isaac Herzog in Jerusalem. The embassy said Herzog assured Lavarias that he would receive financial assistance under Israel’s compensation program and a monthly stipend through the state’s national insurance system.
“The DMW and OWWA [Overseas Workers Welfare Administration] will continue to provide necessary assistance to the family of the perished OFW in their time of grief,” the department said in a statement.
The embassy also organized a vigil prayer for De Vera on Thursday, presided over by His Beatitude Pierbattista Cardinal Pizzaballa, Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem. Pizzaballa called for forgiveness and peace in his remarks, urging mourners to honor De Vera’s memory through acts of mercy rather than hatred.
Tensions in the Middle East escalated following U.S. and Israeli airstrikes on Iranian military targets. In retaliation, Iran launched drone and missile attacks against Israel and American bases. The conflict has prompted thousands of Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) to seek repatriation, with some already arriving in the Philippines, including a group of 23 from Jeddah on Saturday via a flight arranged by the Republic of Singapore Air Force.