On February 24, 2024 – only two months after the last hearing from her – the family of an OFW from Kuwait finally received her casket at Laoag International Airport.
Linda, aged 55, hails from Barangay Pagudpud in Ilocos Norte. She was an OFW with two other Ilocos Norte residents for 10 years.
Her family stated that she spoke with them last on December 29, 2019. She has not answered their calls since then.
On January 11, 2024, the family received news from the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) in Laoag City that Linda had died.
The family wants an autopsy to find out the true cause of death.
“Talagang pa-autopsy ko kahit mahirap lang kami, gagawan ko ng paraan para makita ang katotohanan kasi [‘yung] misis ko pumunta roon para magtrabaho,” Linda’s husband said.
“Sabihin nila ‘yung katotohanan, wala ‘yung takipan — sabihin nila ‘yung katotohanan kasi hindi pare-pareho ‘yung sinasabi nila, ‘yung natatanggap namin na balita sa kanila,” her child added.
Linda’s family reported that she had problems with other OFWs who worked for the same employer.
“Wala namang mabigat na sinasabi [ang asawa ko], pero ang sinasabi lang ‘yung dalawang kasamahan niya sa bahay,” her husband said.
Working with OWWA, and other authorities to pursue the case, the family is committed.
“We are coordinating with the DMW [Department of Migrant Workers] and the OWWA. Kasama namin sila and na-endorse dito sa Laoag International Airport to assist the bereaved family and through this, the human remains transportation ay kinover din ni OWWA and other benefits is maa-apply sa office namin,” Harold Sahagun, Post Arrival Repatriation Unit Support Staff at OWWA-Laoag Satellite Office, said. –GMA NEWS
