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President Marcos announced yesterday that a Filipina caregiver, Mary Anne Velazquez de Vera, was killed in an airstrike in Israel. De Vera, from Basista, Pangasinan, died from shrapnel wounds while helping her ward reach a bomb shelter during the attack. Her husband, also an overseas worker in Israel, identified her.

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The Philippine government has pledged to extend all necessary support to De Vera's family while continuing to monitor the safety of Filipinos in the Middle East. There are approximately 4,000 to 6,000 Filipinos working in US bases across the region. Vice President Sara Duterte advised Filipinos to avoid areas of military operations, emphasizing safety.

Sen. Bong Go urged vigilance and coordination with embassies for security updates. Since the conflict escalated, 23 international flights to the Middle East have been canceled, with more redirected. The Department of Migrant Workers instructed Filipinos in Israel to adhere to guidelines from the Philippine embassy and the IDF Home Front.

Manila Archbishop Jose Cardinal Advincula requested prayers for peace in daily masses. The US justified military actions against Iran, claiming threats from Iran's nuclear ambitions. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated the offensives aim to undermine Iran's regime and encourage change, reported Philstar.

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  Adapted by ASEAN Now · Philstar · 02 Mar 2026

Very sad. RIP.