INQUIRER Global Nation

MANILA, Philippines—Malaysian Foreign Minister Datuk Anifah Aman has assured the Philippines that his government “will leave no stone unturned” in pursuing the case of the Filipino diplomat who was killed in Malaysia last week, the Department of Foreign Affairs said in a statement Friday.

Philippine social welfare attaché Finardo Cabilao, 52, was found in a pool of blood in the hall of his apartment by embassy officials who went to check on him when he failed to show up for work for the second day last Friday, August 7. He was believed to have been repeatedly beaten with blunt objects by more than one attacker.

According to the DFA, Cabilao was active in helping Filipino victims of trafficking and illegal recruitment, sometimes even joining raids by local police authorities and rescue operations in bars and nightclubs in Sarawak, Sabah and in the Federal Territory of Labuan Island.

He recently organized the rescue of several Filipino victims of trafficking in Malaysia, prompting some to believe that his job was a factor in his murder. Malaysian police have ruled out robbery as the motive as the victim’s cash and valuables, including his camera and laptop, were not stolen.

“Numerous Filipina trafficking victims now safely back home with their families owe their escape and repatriation to this slightly-built, unassuming man with the big heart,” the DFA said.

The Malaysian foreign minister made the promise in Kuala Lumpur last Wednesday, August 12, when Philippine Ambassador to Malaysia Vic Lecaros called on him.

In a related development, the DFA said Cabilao’s remains are scheduled to arrive in Manila today.

His widow, Jesusa, and the Department of Social Welfare and Development's (DSWD) human resources director, Marie Angela Gopalan, are accompanying him on his final homeward journey.

DSWD Secretary Esperanza Cabral and Foreign Affairs Undersecretary for Migrant Workers’ Affairs Esteban Conejos Jr. will be on hand when his remains arrive.

Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto Romulo expressed his condolences on Cabilao’s untimely demise. “Like a true public servant, Cabilao carried on his work of attending to the needs of Filipinos in Malaysia. His efforts to help our migrant workers are deeply appreciated.”

Romulo and Cabral have given their personnel involved in the case their respective instructions, including solving his case and bringing his perpetrators to justice.