As Israeli authorities continue to investigate the gas leak explosion that killed 5-year old Filipina Jesse Mae Gatmaitan, her parents have decided to lay her to rest in Israel.  Jessa Mae succumbed to injuries sustained in the gas leak explosion in Hatikva, southern Tel Aviv.  She will be buried on Wednesday, 9 July.  The Israeli police are still pursuing the investigation of this case.

“This is the latest report to me by our embassy in Tel Aviv.  Very little can come close to the grief that parents suffer over the loss of a child.  I pray that Jessa Mae’s parents and other loved ones will find the strength to move on and I and my Department are ready to provide whatever support we can for them,” Foreign Affairs Secretary Blas F. Ople said.  The Secretary had earlier expressed his deepest sympathies to the family of Jessa Mae, then also saying that he hoped for the early and safe recovery of those injured.

The Secretary also confirmed the arrival in Israel of Jaime Gatmaitan, father of Jesse Mae and husband of OFW Jean Busadre, another victim who was injured in the explosion.

Meanwhile, Israel police pursuing the investigation are looking into several angles on what triggered the explosion in the apartment of an Israeli couple.  The Philippine Embassy likewise is closely monitoring the investigation. – END