Two overseas Filipino workers who were repatriated from Israel expressed their tragic experience on Thursday during the conflict between Israel and the militant group Hamas.

Elmer De Leon, a resident of Isabela who served as a caregiver for 15 years, said that the daily bombings led him to decide to return to the Philippines.

“Constant bombings and running. In the place I stay, Israeli submarines and warships dock there, including the airport. That is why Hamas always launches attacks in our place,” Elmer said

Elmer added that he always brings his elderly patient to the bomb shelter every time the sirens wailed.

“Every time the sirens wail, I grab my elderly employer and place them in a wheelchair, then take them to the bomb shelter. We decided to repatriate because we only have one life, and I want to be with my family,” he said.

Meanwhile, Beberly Camara, 34 years old, a resident of Carmona, Cavite, who served as a hotel worker for one year and two months, said she never expected the bombings and always cries as she remembers her two little children.

“I never expected to experience that in Israel because I left the country for my family, for my children, to have a better life. A mother doesn’t anticipate being far from her family, suddenly running and climbing through windows, not knowing where we’re headed with my five companions. I want to be with them because they are my strength,” Beberly said.

Beberly’s live-in partner, Raymond Cunanan, shared that the safety of his partner has been their daily worry.

“Of course, we are happy that my partner is back. Even the kids miss her, and she also wants to focus on them. We were all scared, including her mom and my family. Everyone worried about her,” Raymond said.

The arrival of the 15th batch of repatriates, composed of 27 caregivers and one hotel worker, brings this to a total of 463 workers from Israel-based OFWs, who voluntarily returned to the country amidst the conflict between Israel and the militant group Hamas that erupted on 7 October.

The repatriates arrived at 3:10 p.m. via Etihad Airways EY424 at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3.

Meanwhile, the Department of Migrant Workers Assistant Secretary Felicitas Bay confirmed that one Filipino was not included in the 15th batch after testing positive for COVID-19.

Along with Bay who received the OFWs are Overseas Workers Welfare Administration Repatriation Unit Head James Mendiola, TESDA Representative Imee Charm Reyes-Tosino, Allan C. Sanchez from the Department of Social Welfare and Development, and Kabayan Party-list Representative Ron Salo.