Family of Pinay found in freezer in Kuwait mourns grim fate


The family of Joanna Demafelis in Sara, Iloilo mourned the results of the autopsy on the overseas contract worker (OCW) found in a freezer in Kuwait as it confirmed that she was beaten to death.
Eva Demafelis, mother of the OCW, was seen grieving in a report by Mariz Umali on Balitanghali on Thursday with the rest of the family after receiving the grim news from the Philippine Embassy in Kuwait.
Demafelis sustained broken ribs, contusion and trauma on the pelvis and kidney area, and internal bleeding before she passed away.
The mother said she could not bear to see her daughter's body in the state it was in, and was especially pained by the way Demafelis passed away as they never used corporal punishment on the deceased OCW.
Like other OCWs before her, Demafelis was undeterred by her family's plea to stay in the Philippines due to her determination to lift her family from poverty.
A convoy will be provided to the family to allow them to take Demafelis' remains from Manila to their home when it arrives on Friday evening.
Several of Demafelis' siblings are in Manila to keep in contact with government officials regarding Demafelis' case.
The local government of Sara vowed to issue a resolution condemning the brutal death of the OCW in addition to offering insurance, burial assistance, and other aid to the Demafelis family.
At least P800,000 in various forms of assistance will be given to the family by the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA), Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA), and Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE).
Iloilo 5th District Representative Raul "Boboy" Tupas and ACTS-OFW Representative John Bertiz will file a resolution for an in-depth investigation into Demafelis' death and abuses suffered by OCWs in other countries soon. —Rie Takumi/KG, GMA News

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