Foul play eyed in OFW’s death in Kuwait

DMW building. File photo / ABC

MANILA, Philippines – The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) is looking at the possibility that foul play could have led to the death of overseas Filipino worker (OFW) Jenny Alvarado in Kuwait amid conflicting accounts surrounding her passing.

At the Kapihan sa Manila Hotel forum on Friday, Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac said the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) is conducting an autopsy on Alvarado’s remains, which arrived in the country Thursday night.

According to her employer, Alvarado reportedly died from coal suffocation after inhaling smoke from a heating system in their workplace.

Cacdac said this claim is being investigated.

READ: Senate probe sought into deaths, arrest of OFWs in Kuwait

“Actually, these are just reports coming to us. The employer is saying it’s coal suffocation. That’s why we need to validate this. I reviewed the death certificate yesterday. It states ‘cardiac arrest,’ which is a common entry. So we need to dig deeper and find out the truth,” Cacdac said.

He added the NBI will examine any organ damage consistent with coal suffocation. The absence of an autopsy in Kuwait has heightened suspicions and prompted the Philippine government’s own investigation.

“The possibility of foul play is always present. That’s why the government is conducting its own autopsy,” Cacdac said.

The results of the NBI’s findings are expected over the weekend, which will shed light on whether foul play was involved.

Wrong cadaver

Cacdac also addressed another controversy surrounding Alvarado’s case —the repatriation of a wrong cadaver labeled with her name.

The DMW is investigating the service provider responsible for the mix-up.

“We are looking into this incident and taking it seriously. Legal action against those responsible, including her employer and the service provider, is under consideration,” he said.

Cacdac assured Alvarado’s family that the government is determined to uncover the truth and hold accountable those involved in any negligence or wrongdoing.