Senators say search for justice does not end with conviction of Demafelis’ employers


By AMITA LEGASPI, GMA News
Senators on Monday welcomed the death sentence handed by the Kuwaiti court to the couple accused of killing Joanna Demafelis, the OFW found inside a freezer in the couple's abandoned apartment in Kuwait in February.
Still, the senators said efforts to seek justice for Demafelis do not end with the sentencing, noting that the couple — a Lebanese man and his Syrian wife — have yet to be brought to Kuwait.
Senator Panfilo Lacson said the conviction in absentia of the couple may appear like a "Pyrrhic victory" for Joanna's family and the Filipino people until the execution of the sentence is finally carried out.
"Then and only then we can claim justice is served," he said in a text message to GMA News Online. "Having said that, the Kuwaiti government should be commended for the swift trial as well as the decision that the court has rendered."
Senator Joel Villanueva expressed hope that the husband and wife should be made to face the consequences of their crime.
"It's a welcome development and we sincerely hope that this would not just be a paper victory," he said in a separate text message.
He said the government should continue to ensure and see to it that no overseas Filipino workers anywhere in the world will be under the “kafala” system where a migrant worker’s visa is tied to his or her employer and prohibits workers from leaving or changing jobs without prior consent.
Senator JV Ejercito said the court decision should be a deterrent to other employers who were thinking of abusing Filipino workers.
"Hoping that justice would soon be served for Joanna Demafelis.  Let this be a deterrent for those who would think of abusing our Overseas Filipino Workers in the future," he said.
Senator Grace Poe said swift and sure justice is what Joanna Demafelis deserves and the search for it should not stop in its tracks until all those responsible for the fate of 29-year-old house help are punished.
"Joanna's struggle is a reflection of the same reason why many of our kababayan are working abroad, away from their family and loved ones,” she said in a press statement.
Poe expressed hope that the memorandum of understanding between the Philippines and Kuwait for the greater protection of OFWs will be signed and that such understanding be present in other countries with OFW population.
"We must remain vigilant in ensuring that the rights and welfare of OFWs are protected, and government is always at hand to assist them," she said.
The senator said that “we have so much more to do in directly engaging the Gulf States as far as protecting the safety and welfare of our OFWs are concerned."
“We’re thankful that justice has been served for Joanna. Our task now is to ensure that such incidents never happen again,” he said. —KBK, GMA News

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