MANILA — The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) said that it will provide support to the family of Mary Ann De Vera, who was killed during an Iranian strike while en route to shelter in Israel.

De Vera’s remains arrived in Manila on Saturday morning and were received by her husband, Bernie Lavarias, along with Philippine officials and Dana Kursh.

“Laking pasasalamat natin una sa State of Israel dahil ganoon na lamang ang kanilang pag-facilitate ng pagpapauwi ng labi ni OFW Mary Ann,” said DMW Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac.
(We are very grateful to the State of Israel for facilitating the repatriation of the remains of OFW Mary Ann.)

He added, “Pinag-utos din ng ating mahal na Pangulo na mag-coordinate sa Israeli side kina Ambassador Dana Kirsch. At of course, ‘yung ating Ambasador sa Tel Aviv, si Ambassador Aileen Mendiola-Rau, so joint effort ito.”
(President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. also ordered us to coordinate with the Israeli side like Ambassador Dana Kursh, and of course, our Ambassador in Tel Aviv, Ambassador Aileen Mendiola-Rau, so this is a joint effort.)

Patricia Yvonne Caunan said the agency will personally visit De Vera’s relatives in Pangasinan on Monday to provide further assistance.