An image grab from a handout video released by the Hamas Media Office shows members of its Al-Qassam Brigades leading hostages over to officials from the International Committee of the Red Cross in Gaza on November 24, 2023, ahead of their transfer to Israel. - AFP
MANILA (Philippine Daily Inquirer/ANN): A 33-year-old Filipino, who was among the individuals held hostage by the Palestinian militant group Hamas, was released on Friday, along with 23 others, according to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
“I am overjoyed to confirm that a Filipino, Mr. Gelienor ‘Jimmy’ Pacheco, was among the first group of 24 hostages released by the Hamas yesterday,” Marcos tweeted on his official X account on Saturday.
According to the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), its staff members accompanied Pacheco, along with Israeli women and children, and Thai farm workers. They were all brought out of Gaza and handed over to Egyptiptian authorities along the Rafah border crossing.
The Chief Executive added that the government is continuing its efforts to locate the whereabouts of another Filipino, Noralyn Babadilla, who was held hostage by the Hamas group.
“We remain concerned over the whereabouts of our other national, Ms. Noralyn Babadilla, and are sparing no effort to locate and secure her if she is indeed found to be one of the hostages,” Marcos said.
“We pray for the continued success of the truce and for all hostages to be released,” he added. - Philippine Daily Inquirer/ANN
