DMW, DFA urged: Bring the killer of OFW in Kuwait to justice
Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian called on the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) and the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) to work together to seek justice for the family of slain overseas Filipino worker (OFW) Dafnie Nacalaban in Kuwait.
In a statement, Gatchalian also urged the two agencies to revisit the existing bilateral labor agreements for OFWs to prevent a repeat of killings similar to that of Nacalaban.
“I call on the (DMW) and the (DFA) to coordinate closely with Kuwaiti authorities in ensuring a thorough investigation regarding this incident,” he said.
“The killer must be held accountable and our government must not rest until justice is served,” Gatchalian added.
The DMW announced on Thursday the discovery of the heavily decomposed body of Nacalaban, who had been missing for two months in Kuwait.
Her remains were found in the house of a Kuwaiti citizen, and Kuwaiti authorities had arrested a “prime suspect.”
The DMW was unclear about whether the unnamed arrested person was Nacalaban’s employer.
Gatchalian, a member of the Senate foreign relations committee, was “deeply saddened and outraged” by Nacalaban’s killing, and urged the Philippine government to review protection mechanisms for OFWs.
“I also call on both agencies to review and strengthen protection mechanisms for our OFWs, and review existing bilateral labor agreements, if necessary, especially in countries where they are most vulnerable,” he said.
