(Eagle News)–The Department of Foreign Affairs has asked the National Bureau of Investigation to conduct an autopsy on the remains of the Overseas Filipino Worker who died in Kuwait.
In a statement, the DFA also urged the NBI to conduct toxicology tests on Ma. Constancia Lago Dayag to determine her cause of death.
Reports said there were signs Dayag had been physically and sexually abused.
So far, the DFA said the death certificate released by the Al-Sabah Hospital indicates that the cause of death was still under investigation.
The DFA said it has requested for the immediate release of the official forensic report from the Criminal Evidence Department of Kuwait’s Ministry of Interior so this could be double-checked with the reports of Philippine experts.
“The Department will also request the permission of the family to bring the remains to the University of the Philippines – Philippine General Hospital (UP-PGH) Forensic Morgue for a similar examination of the human remains of Ms. Dayag,” the DFA said.
According to the DFA, it will provide P100,000 in financial assistance to Dayag’s orphaned children, and, together with the Philippine Embassy in Kuwait, will “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. ”
“The Department has instructed our lawyer to pursue this case to a satisfactory resolution,” the DFA said, noting that the Philippine government’s lawyer “has made representations with the Kuwaiti General Prosecutor’s Office to stress that the Philippine Government will intervene and provide evidence as appropriate.”
Last year, President Rodrigo Duterte lashed out at Kuwait for its alleged mistreatment of OFWs, and imposed a ban on the deployment of Filipino workers there.
Duterte made the move after the body of Joanna Demafelis was found in a freezer in the Arab country.
The tension between the two nations abated after Kuwait signed a memorandum of understanding that provides additional protection to OFWs there.
