The Israeli military reported that Iran retaliated with missile strikes on Israel. The Pentagon has designated the American military action as Operation Epic Fury. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. confirmed that a Filipina caregiver was killed amid the escalating conflict in the Middle East. In a video message on his official Facebook page, Marcos said Mary Ann Velasquez De Vera, a native of Pangasinan, died along with her employer during an airstrike in Israel. According to the President, De Vera was assisting her elderly ward to a bomb shelter when the attack occurred. “She was a caregiver in Israel helping her ward to a bomb shelter but did not make it as they were caught before arriving,” Marcos said. He added that De Vera died after being hit by shrapnel from falling bombs and has been identified by her husband, also an overseas Filipino worker based in Israel. Marcos assured the public that the Philippine government will extend all necessary assistance to the victim’s family. For emergencies, Filipinos may contact the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) through (+632) 1348 (international), 1348 (Metro Manila), or (02) 1348 (regional, mobile). Meanwhile, tensions in the region intensified after the United States and Israel launched joint military operations against Iran on Saturday.
