Undersecretary Eduardo de Vega said Philippine diplomats have been seeking information from Qatar and other countries on the status of Noralin Babadilla, the only Filipino, who is still unaccounted for following the escalation of violence in the Middle East.
“Si Ms. Noralin, hindi natin alam kung saan siya,” De Vega said on CignalTV’s One PH channel’s program ‘One Balita Pilipinas.’
“Hindi natin siya matagpuan. Maaaring isa siya sa mga namatay. Pero kung isa siya sa hostages, hinihingan natin ng confirmation at para mapalaya na rin.”
Israel and Hamas started a four-day “humanitarian pause” last Friday to allow the release of 50 Israeli hostages taken by Hamas and 150 Palestinian people detained by Israel.
De Vega said the Philippine government is hoping for an extended truce to facilitate the release of more hostages held by Hamas.
“Kung mangyayari ‘yun, mabuti po para sa kapayapaan,” he said.
At least 299 overseas Filipino workers in Israel and 102 Filipinos in Gaza have returned to the Philippines, based on the latest data from government officials in Manila.