Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 27) – The family of Jullebee Ranara — the 35-year-old overseas Filipino worker (OFW) killed in Kuwait — has requested for the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) to conduct an autopsy on her remains, the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) said.
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The DMW reported that Ranara’s burnt body was found in the Al-Salmi desert in Kuwait on Saturday, Jan. 21. It added that her family had lost contact with her on the same day.
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READ: DMW vows justice for slain OFW in Kuwait
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“Maraming (There are many) speculations about the cause of death, the motive. The family gave me permission to share with you the information that they have requested an autopsy once the remains arrive here in the Philippines to be done by the NBI,” DMW Secretary Susan Ople told reporters on Friday.
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Ranara’s remains will be repatriated to the Philippines at around 9:30 p.m. Friday, Jan. 27.
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READ: Remains of OFW killed in Kuwait to be brought home on Friday
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According to Ople, Ranara’s bereaved family has asked that the arrival of the body be treated as a private affair.
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The autopsy will be conducted as soon as the body of the slain OFW arrives in the country.
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“Kaya Sunday na yung start ng wake kasi [That is why the wake will start on Sunday, because] they would need time to autopsy and i-prepare yung [the] remains for the wake and eventual burial,” Ople added.
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Reports from foreign media
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Kuwaiti publication The Arab Times reported that an autopsy conducted by local authorities determined that Ranara was pregnant when she died. It also said that she had been sexually assaulted.
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Ople said that despite the foreign reports, the DMW had not seen documentation on the claims and that they would wait for the NBI’s autopsy results before issuing an official statement on the killing.
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“I personally have not yet seen official documentation to that effect which is why we also want to discuss the elements of this criminal case with a Kuwaiti lawyer, with our ambassador, and with our MWO (Migrant Workers Office) senior staff so we have a firmer understanding of the legal battle that lies ahead so that we can explain it properly,” Ople explained.
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The main suspect in the killing is the 17-year-old son of Ranara’s employer.
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The DMW said that he had been arrested by Kuwaiti authorities and that no other suspects were under investigation for Ranara’s death.
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Meanwhile, the DMW prohibited Renara’s employer from hiring other FIlipino workers after it established “ground for the imposition of a disciplinary action in relation to the administrative case filed against them.”
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