Remains of Filipina who died in Kuwait to arrive in PH

MANILA, Philippines — The remains of the overseas Filipina worker (OFW) who died in Kuwait is set to arrive on Thursday afternoon, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said.

The Filipina, identified as 47-year-old Ma. Constancia Lago Dayag, died “in the hands of her employer” last May 14, according to Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III.

A “cucumber” was also reportedly found inside her private part.

READ: OFW dies in Kuwait; ‘cucumber’ found inside her private part – DOLE

Citing the death certificate released by the Al-Sabah Hospital in Kuwait, the DFA, however, said the cause of death remains “under investigation.”

Despite this, the Foreign Affairs department assured that they will double check the report once it is released.

“[DFA] has requested for the immediate release of the official forensic report from the Criminal Evidence Department of Kuwait’s Ministry of Interior. As of the moment, the death certificate released by the Al-Sabah Hospital indicates that the cause of death is still under investigation,” DFA said in a statement on Thursday.

“The DFA has endorsed the case to the Philippine National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) which will undertake an independent autopsy and perform toxicology tests on the remains to determine the cause of death of Ms. Dayag,” the DFA added.

The remains of late OFW Constancia Dayag are scheduled to arrive on 23 May. DFA & PH Embassy in Kuwait continue to work with Kuwait gov’t for the speedy resolution of the felony murder case. DFA will continue to provide ATN & legal support on the case of Dayag.@teddyboylocsin pic.twitter.com/VD3suXATFO

— DFA Philippines (@DFAPHL) May 23, 2019

DFA also said the Philippine Embassy in Kuwait had instructed their lawyer to pursue the case, adding that the Philippine government “will intervene and provide evidence as appropriate.”

“The DFA and the Philippine Embassy in Kuwait continue to work with the Kuwait government for the speedy resolution of the felony murder case earlier filed by the Kuwaiti General Prosecutor’s Office and supported by the Embassy,” DFA said.

“Our lawyer has made representations with the Kuwaiti General Prosecutor’s Office to stress that the Philippine Government will intervene and provide evidence as appropriate,” it added.

READ: DFA files criminal case for death of OFW in Kuwait

The foreign affairs department said that if Dayag’s family accepts their request, the OFW’s remains will be brought to the University of the Philippines-Philippine General Hospital (UP-PGH) Forensic Morgue for further examination.

“The DFA will continue to provide assistance to nationals and legal support on the case of the late Ms. Dayag. Furthermore, the DFA will provide P100,000 financial assistance to the orphaned children of Ms. Dayag to help defray the cost of her funeral,” the DFA said.

Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. on Thursday slammed recruitment agencies that only focus on “self-profit” instead of protecting the workers they send overseas.

“[Dayag] was bludgeoned to death. We are not throwing this mutilated woman under the bus of recruiting agencies that think only of self-profit and never of others’ protection,” Locsin said in a tweet.

She was bludgeoned to death. We are not throwing this mutilated woman under the bus of recruiting agencies that think only of self-profit and never of others’ protection. https://t.co/E8tjRvi7pq

— Teddy Locsin Jr. (@teddyboylocsin) May 23, 2019

(Editor: Eden Estopace)