By CESAR JOLITO III
The remains of Leah Mosquera, a Negrense overseas Filipino worker (OFW) who was killed in a missile attack in the midst of the Israel-Iran War on June 15, arrived at the Bacolod-Silay Airport yesterday morning.
Mosquera, supposed to turn 50 this July 29, tragically lost her life after being trapped under debris during an Iranian missile strike.
She was from Barangay Guintorilan in Negros Occidental’s San Enrique town.
The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) and the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) assisted in the repatriation of Mosquera’s remains following President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr.’s directive.
DMW in Western Visayas Director Glenda Aligonza and OWWA-Western Visayas Director James Mendiola accompanied her remains from the Bacolod-Silay Airport to San Enrique.
According to Mendiola, OWWA will shoulder the expenses for her wake and burial.
Meanwhile, San Enrique Mayor Jilson Tubillara confirmed that Leah’s remains were brought directly to their hometown, but her wake may not begin immediately.
“It may still take a day or two as her body is still being prepared,” he said, adding that there are no finalized details yet for her wake and funeral.
Tubillara also added that the local government will provide initial financial assistance of P10,000 to the Mosquera family.
Attack
Leah’s younger sister, May Joy, who also works as a caregiver in Israel, said the victim was sleeping with several other Filipino workers in their apartment in Tel Aviv, located northwest of the capital Jerusalem, when the missile struck around 2:30 a.m.
They were unaware of the air raid sirens before the missile hit the rear section of the apartment, causing a partial collapse.
“She was pinned by falling debris while trying to escape,” May Joy said.
“It took around 30 minutes to an hour before rescuers could get her out. She was still alive but unconscious when brought to the hospital,” she added.
Of the four Filipinos in the apartment, three were injured, with Leah suffering the most severe injuries.
Mosquera was rushed to Shamir Medical Center, where she underwent multiple surgeries.
She remained comatose for 28 days and underwent multiple surgeries before she passed away.
The sisters had met just hours before the incident, as Leah handed over money to be sent to their family in the Philippines.
May Joy said she had also warned Leah of intelligence reports that Iran would launch over 200 missiles that night./CJ, WDJ