MANILA, Philippines — The return of the remains of Mary Ann de Vera, the 32-year-old Filipina caregiver killed during an Iranian airstrike in Tel Aviv, has been delayed as widespread airspace closures across the Middle East stall international travel.
De Vera, a native of Basista, Pangasinan, is being hailed as a hero for her final acts on the evening of February 28, 2026.
- The Incident: During a missile attack, De Vera refused to leave her elderly ward’s side, attempting to move the patient into a bomb shelter.
- The Aftermath: Neither could reach the shelter in time. De Vera was pinned under a large concrete slab when a missile struck nearby. Although rescuers found her with a pulse, she tragically passed away on the way to the hospital.
- Background: A 2017 BS Pharmacy graduate, Mary Ann had been working in Israel since 2019 and had recently celebrated her third wedding anniversary.
DMW Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac confirmed on Monday that while the Israeli government is fully supporting the repatriation efforts, the ongoing military conflict has made flights impossible for now.
- Airspace Shutdown: Major corridors in the Middle East remain closed following retaliatory strikes by Iran and offensive operations by the U.S. and Israel.
- Family Support: De Vera’s husband, also an OFW in Israel, is being assisted by DMW and OWWA teams in Tel Aviv. The national government and the Pangasinan provincial government have pledged full financial and burial assistance.
De Vera is the first reported Filipino fatality in this escalation, but others have been caught in the crossfire:
- Kuwait: A Filipino fast-food worker sustained minor injuries during a drone attack at an airport on Feb. 28.
- UAE: Several Filipinos were among 58 people injured following an Iranian drone strike; most injuries were reported as minor.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has assured the De Vera family that the government will do everything in its power to bring Mary Ann home once it is safe to fly. “She died in the line of duty, protecting the life entrusted to her,” the DMW stated, echoing the sentiments of her alma mater and the provincial government of Pangasinan.