Metro Manila, Philippines – The family of an overseas Filipino worker (OFW) in Kuwait suspected foul play in the death of their loved one earlier this month.
The remains of Jenny Alvarado arrived in the country Thursday evening after it was mistakenly switched with that of a Nepali national last week.
The family confirmed the OFW’s identity.
“Siya na po talaga ito, yung mga marka niya sa katawan at postura,” Alvarado’s daughter, Nathania, told reporters.
The family expressed dismay over the mix-up.
“Hindi po talaga okay. Kahit sino naman po, kapag maling bangkay ng nanay ang ibinigay, talagang magagalit,” she added.
[Translation: It’s really not okay. Anyone would be mad if they received the wrong body of their mother.]
Angel, another daughter of Alvarado, suspected foul play in the death of her mother, contrary to initial reports that the OFW died from coal suffocation on Jan. 2.
“Hindi po ako sang-ayon sa nangyayari ngayon. Makikita sa katawan na may foul play talaga. Hindi pa tapos ang imbestigasyon kaya mahirap magsalita ng tapos,” she said.
[Translation: I do not agree with what’s happening now. You can see from her body that there was foul play. The investigation is still ongoing, so it’s hard to make definitive statements.]
Angel said there were bruises in parts of the body.
The remains were brought to a funeral home in Cavite for an autopsy to be conducted by the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI).
“Sa bandang tuhod po, sa braso, sa kamay, sa likod, at inexplain po sa amin ng NBI na we will wait for the result,”she said.
[Translation: “On the knees, arms, hands, and back, and the NBI explained to us that we will have to wait for the result]
Appeal to Marcos
The family also called on President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to make sure Alvarado gets justice, and to address violence against Filipino workers in Kuwait.
“Nanawagan po kami sana maging tanda na ito, sana huli na ito na namamatay at umuuwing Pilipino dahil sinasaktan at inaagrabyado sila,” Nathania said.
[Translation: This should serve as a warning, that this should be the last time a Filipino dies and returns home because they have been hurt and abused.]
“Sana mabigyan ng hustisya talaga at hindi lang maging kwento na porke nalibing ay tapos na,” she added.
[Translation: We hope justice will be served and that it won’t just become a story where once the body is buried, everything is done.]
Angel echoed the appeal to the president.
“Gusto ko po hustisya sa mama ko. Nakikita na may foul play sa mama. Nananawagan po ako sa ating presidente na maging aware na siya dito dahil marami na pong namamatay sa Kuwait. Gusto ko po maging aral na ito sa ating mga Pilipino,” she said.
[Translation: I want justice for my mother. You can see there was foul play. I appeal to our president to be aware of this because many Filipinos are dying in Kuwait. I want this to serve as a lesson to our fellow Filipinos.]
