Son of Pinay inmate who died in Brunei thanks RP gov't
MANILA, Philippines – The son of a Filipino domestic helper who died of cancer while in jail in Brunei extended his family’s gratitude to the Philippine government for the assistance provided for his mother’s legal defense.
Shirley Q. Alcala, who was charged for the murder of her employer’s son in 1991, passed away on February 15 at the Ripas Hospital in Brunei. While confined at the Jerudong Prison, she was diagnosed to have Stage 4 lung cancer, Philippine Ambassador to Brunei Virginia Benavidez said in a report to the Department of Foreign Affairs.
Alcala, who went to Brunei in 1991 to work as a domestic helper, converted to Islam and adopted the Muslin name Salina bte Abdullah while in jail.
Her son, Shirbenn Quiblatin, sent a letter addressed to the Philippine government, conveying his family’s “deep gratitude," particularly to the Office of the Undersecretary for Migrant Workers Affairs and the Philippine embassy in Brunei Darussalam for all the assistance extended to him and his mother.
The DFA and the embassy arranged for Quiblatin’s travel to Brunei, including transportation expenses, to enable him to pay his last respects for his mother.
Benavidez said Alcala had expressed to her relatives and friends her desire to be buried in Brunei.
The Brunei High Court spared Alcala from the death penalty in 1993 and ruled that she be confined at the Jerudong Prison as the pleasure of the Sultan.
Her lawyer, Daljit Sandhu, managed to convince the court that she had unsound mind at the time of the commission of the offense.
“Shirley’s life was saved through the collective efforts of Department of Foreign Affairs, Department of Labor and Employment and the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration," Benavidez said.
According to her, DoLE and OWWA shouldered all expenses for Alcala’s defense, including the hiring of Sandhu, the embassy’s retainer-lawyer, and transportation expenses for vital witnesses from the Philippines, including her relatives, as well as lawyers who traveled to Iloilo to gather evidence for her defense.
The government agencies likewise facilitated the trip of a Filipino psychiatrist to gather medical evidence and provide expert testimony during the trial of the case in Brunei.
After having been diagnosed with lung cancer while in jail, Alcala was taken good care of by prison officials and Philippine embassy personnel.
“When she was still healthy, Shirley was allowed to work at the prison. She was able to save the salaries she earned while working," the ambassador said.
“We were really touched by the compassion and care shown by prison officials to Shirley and other Filipino inmates," said said.
Senior prison officials, led by the Director of Prisons, were present during Shirley’s burial on February 16. The officials also visited Shirley when she was confined at the RIPAS Hospital, according to the ambassador.
Minutes after learning that Alcala had passed away, Benavidez said she went to the hospital minutes and thanked the Jerudong Prison officials for taking care of her.
Consul Jaime Ramon Ascalon and administrative officer Edgar Matibag accompanied Quiblatin and Alcala’s best friend, Helen Alemania, to the Ripas mortuary and during the burial rites at the Senkurong Mosque and Jerudong cemetery. – GMANews.TV
Shirley Q. Alcala, who was charged for the murder of her employer’s son in 1991, passed away on February 15 at the Ripas Hospital in Brunei. While confined at the Jerudong Prison, she was diagnosed to have Stage 4 lung cancer, Philippine Ambassador to Brunei Virginia Benavidez said in a report to the Department of Foreign Affairs.
Alcala, who went to Brunei in 1991 to work as a domestic helper, converted to Islam and adopted the Muslin name Salina bte Abdullah while in jail.
Her son, Shirbenn Quiblatin, sent a letter addressed to the Philippine government, conveying his family’s “deep gratitude," particularly to the Office of the Undersecretary for Migrant Workers Affairs and the Philippine embassy in Brunei Darussalam for all the assistance extended to him and his mother.
The DFA and the embassy arranged for Quiblatin’s travel to Brunei, including transportation expenses, to enable him to pay his last respects for his mother.
Benavidez said Alcala had expressed to her relatives and friends her desire to be buried in Brunei.
The Brunei High Court spared Alcala from the death penalty in 1993 and ruled that she be confined at the Jerudong Prison as the pleasure of the Sultan.
Her lawyer, Daljit Sandhu, managed to convince the court that she had unsound mind at the time of the commission of the offense.
“Shirley’s life was saved through the collective efforts of Department of Foreign Affairs, Department of Labor and Employment and the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration," Benavidez said.
According to her, DoLE and OWWA shouldered all expenses for Alcala’s defense, including the hiring of Sandhu, the embassy’s retainer-lawyer, and transportation expenses for vital witnesses from the Philippines, including her relatives, as well as lawyers who traveled to Iloilo to gather evidence for her defense.
The government agencies likewise facilitated the trip of a Filipino psychiatrist to gather medical evidence and provide expert testimony during the trial of the case in Brunei.
After having been diagnosed with lung cancer while in jail, Alcala was taken good care of by prison officials and Philippine embassy personnel.
“When she was still healthy, Shirley was allowed to work at the prison. She was able to save the salaries she earned while working," the ambassador said.
“We were really touched by the compassion and care shown by prison officials to Shirley and other Filipino inmates," said said.
Senior prison officials, led by the Director of Prisons, were present during Shirley’s burial on February 16. The officials also visited Shirley when she was confined at the RIPAS Hospital, according to the ambassador.
Minutes after learning that Alcala had passed away, Benavidez said she went to the hospital minutes and thanked the Jerudong Prison officials for taking care of her.
Consul Jaime Ramon Ascalon and administrative officer Edgar Matibag accompanied Quiblatin and Alcala’s best friend, Helen Alemania, to the Ripas mortuary and during the burial rites at the Senkurong Mosque and Jerudong cemetery. – GMANews.TV
Comments