Filipinos in intermarriages urged to attend CFO counseling

By Marita Moaje, Philippine News Agency

MANILA – Filipinos married or engaged to foreign nationals are urged to attend the Commission on Filipinos Overseas (CFO) Guidance and Counseling Program (GCP) before migrating abroad following the tragic death of a Filipina allegedly killed by her husband in Slovenia.

In a news release on Wednesday night, the CFO said Filipinos planning to marry foreign nationals and settle permanently abroad should register and comply with the migration requirements as part of their exit clearance from the Philippine immigration.

“These safeguards, which aim to mentally prepare and empower marriage migrants, are designed to help ensure their safety and well-being as they navigate new opportunities and environments,” the CFO said.

The GCP, which is a mandatory program for Filipinos planning to marry foreign nationals and eventually settle abroad, is designed to provide marriage migrants with essential information to help ensure their safety and well-being in their new environments.

The program – legally supported by Republic Act 9208 or the Anti-Trafficking Act, and Republic Act 10906 or the Anti-Mail Order Spouse Act – also aims to prepare Filipinos for the transition mentally and to raise awareness about potential risks such as domestic violence, human trafficking, and cross-cultural barriers.

The CFO issued the reminder after Filipina Marvil Facturan-Kocjančič, 27, was allegedly killed by her Slovenian husband Mitja, while on holiday vacation in the resort town of Bled on Dec.

29, 2024.

According to the Philippine Embassy in Vienna, which has jurisdiction over Slovenia, Marvil left the Philippines on a tourist visa to visit her husband and arrived in Slovenia on Dec. 22.

The CFO said that while the GCP is not required for outbound tourists like Marvil, it could have helped her assess any potential risks such as whether her foreign spouse had a criminal record.

The program also includes counseling sessions, and in some cases, further recommendations for additional counseling.

The CFO together with the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) earlier condemned the killing of Marvil and expressed condolences to her family.

“The Philippine government condemns this tragic incident and expresses its heartfelt condolences to the victim’s bereaved family in the Philippines. The Philippine Embassy in Vienna is working with the Slovenian authorities not only for the repatriation of the victim but towards the attainment of justice,” the DFA said.