By Argyll Cyrus B. Geducos
President Duterte will visit the wake of overseas Filipino worker Joanna Demafelis who was found dead inside a freezer in Kuwait two weeks ago.
Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said Duterte will extend assistance to the family of Demafelis, in addition to what have been given by the government.
“Death and burial benefits, financial assistance to the family were already extended. And I am sure the President will announce other contributions,” Roque said.
Demafelis, who was beaten to death, was left inside the freezer for more than a year. Her body has returned to her home in Sara, Iloilo.
Duterte has slammed the Kuwaiti government for being “oblivious” about the abuses and maltreatment OFWs are experiencing from their employers in their territory, prompting the Chief Executive to order a full deployment ban on new workers to Kuwait until the issues are resolved.
Malacañang expects that Kuwait will commit to protect the lives of OFWs in their territory following reports of abuse and maltreatment they are experiencing from their employers.
Duterte has asked the Kuwaiti government to treat Filipinos in their territory in the same manner as their nationals.
“Under international law, each country is bound to give nationals of another country in its territory the benefit of the same laws, same administration, the same protection, and the same redress from injury which gives its own citizens,” Roque said.
