Malacañang on Wednesday expressed outrage over the killing of a Filipino housemaid allegedly by her employer in Kuwait, calling out the Middle Eastern country for its “clear disregard” of a 2018 labor pact protecting Filipino workers from abuse.
“The Palace expresses its outrage over the death of Filipino worker, Jeanelyn Padernal Villavende, allegedly in the hands of her female employer who is now in the custody of Kuwaiti authorities,” presidential spokesperson Salvador Panelo said.
“We consider Jeanelyn’s tragic death a clear disregard of the agreement signed by both our country and Kuwait in 2018 which seeks to uphold and promote the protection of the rights and welfare of our workers in Kuwait,” the Palace official said in a statement.
The Department of Foreign Affairs, according Panelo, is “closely monitoring the case as we look forward to its resolution for the rendition of justice to the deceased and her family.”
Foreign Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. pressed for capital punishment for Villavende’s killer when he summoned Kuwaiti Ambassador Musaed Saleh Ahmad Althwaikh on Tuesday.
“An eye for an eye, a life for a life,” Locsin stressed.
Villavende was purportedly killed by her employer’s wife.
“She bashed her head. So I want the head of the employer’s wife who murdered their Filipina maid,” Locsin said on Twitter on Tuesday after his meeting with Althwaikh.
Panelo condoled with Villavende’s family and friends and assured them of government assistance.
The Overseas Workers Welfare Administration has been directed to provide burial and livelihood assistance, as well as scholarship to the family members, he said.
“The Philippine Overseas Labor Office, meanwhile, is closely monitoring the results of the forensic investigation while coordinating with the family of Jeanelyn for the repatriation of her remains,” Panelo said.