Grieving family in Philippines receives wrong body of OFW from Kuwait

A grieving family, anticipating the return of their loved one’s remains from Kuwait, was devastated to learn that the wrong body had been sent to them.

According to a report by News 5, domestic worker Jenny Alvarado, an Overseas Filipino Worker (OFW), tragically died on January 2, due to suffocation from inhaling smoke emitted by a heating system.

Two other co-workers, one from Nepal and another from Sri Lanka, also tragically lost their lives in the same incident.

When Alvarado’s body was sent to her family, they were shocked to discover that it was not hers.

It was later revealed that the family had mistakenly received the remains of Alvarado’s Nepalese co-worker, instead of her own.

Foul play suspected

Although reports indicate that Alvarado and her co-workers died from suffocation, the Samahan ng mga DH sa Gitnang Silangan (SANDIGAN) alleges that they were intentionally suffocated.

Alvarado’s family has expressed concerns, claiming her body showed signs of physical trauma, including what appeared to be bruises around her mouth.

Samahan ng mga DH sa Gitnang Silangan (SANDIGAN) is calling on the DMW to urgently repatriate Jenny’s remains, conduct an immediate investigation into her death, and bring justice to the family, the organization wrote in a Facebook post.

From 2018 to 2020, former President Rodrigo Duterte imposed a deployment ban to Kuwait following a series of killings involving Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs).

In May 2023, Kuwait retaliated by suspending all new visas for Philippine passport holders.

By June 2024, Kuwait lifted its visa ban, allowing the deployment of skilled Filipino workers, including domestic workers, to resume. Kuwaiti authorities also agreed to the Philippines’ proposal to limit the deployment of domestic workers to those with prior work experience.

Source: The Filipino Times