Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 26) — The mother of slain overseas Filipino worker (OFW) Jullebee Ranara is seeking justice following the brutal killing of her daughter in Kuwait last weekend.
Speaking to CNN Philippines, Ranara’s mother – whose name was withdrawn for privacy reasons – hopes that justice will prevail as they pursue the case against the suspect.
“Ang hustisya talaga ang hiling namin, sana makamit niya,” she said in a phone interview.
[Translation: We appeal for justice. We hope she can get it.]
The family of Ranara expressed gratitude for the swift action of the Philippine government following news of the OFW’s death.
“Wala na po kaming hihilingin, naibigay naman na po ng OWWA at ng mga tumulong sa amin ang lahat,” Ranara’s mother added when asked if they still need any other assistance.
[We are no longer asking for anything. OWWA and other officials were able to assist us.]
The mother is also grateful for the quick repatriation of the OFW’s remains.
“Napakabilis po ng proseso at mapapauwi na ang anak ko,” she said.
[Translation: It’s good that the repatriation process was fast so that her remains can come home soon.]
The manning agency of Ranara in Kuwait will shoulder the expenses on the repatriation of her remains.
“Very responsible naman ang kanilang recruitment agency doon including yung lupa na paglilibingan, sila na ang may sagot,” OWWA administrator Arnell Ignacio said.
[Translation: The recruitment agency there is very responsible. They will also pay for the lot where Ranara will be buried.]
Ranara’s remains will arrive in the Philippines on Friday night.
The Department of Foreign Affairs said it has hired a new lawyer to handle Ranara’s case in Kuwait.
The 17-year-old suspect in the gruesome killing is now under police custody.
Labor diplomacy
Meanwhile, the Department of Migrant Workers said a dialogue is the avenue it will take “for now” as a first step to resolve the case.
“We appreciate the good intentions behind the calls to impose a deployment ban to Kuwait. But I have always believed in social dialog as the all-important first step in resolving labor migration concerns,” DMW Secretary Susan Ople said in a statement Thursday.
She stressed, however, they would not pay heed to such calls.
“There is a working, productive relationship between the Philippines and Kuwait that can be further enhanced not by imposing a deployment ban but by revisiting the existing Bilateral Labor Agreement (BLA). A new BLA would extend additional protection for our OFWs. We can accomplish more to protect our workers with the cooperation of the Kuwaiti government,” she added.
