Remains of Kuwait OFW in body mix-up arrive in PH

By Marita Moaje, Philippine News Agency

In a text message to the Philippine News Agency, DMW Undersecretary Felicitas Bay confirmed the arrival of Alvarado’s remains in Parañaque City at around 5:20 p.m. on Thursday via Kuwait Airways flight KU 417. (File Photo: Department of Migrant Workers/Facebook)

MANILA – The remains of overseas Filipino worker (OFW) Jenny Alvarado have finally arrived in the country from Kuwait amid investigation into why a different cadaver was delivered to her family on Jan. 10.

In a text message to the Philippine News Agency, DMW Undersecretary Felicitas Bay confirmed the arrival of Alvarado’s remains in Parañaque City at around 5:20 p.m. on Thursday via Kuwait Airways flight KU 417.

Bay said she welcomed Alvarado’s remains together with DMW Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac, a team from the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration, and the OFW’s family upon its arrival.

“The remains of OFW Alvarado will undergo autopsy as requested by her family,” Bay said, adding that the family has requested privacy during this difficult time.

In an interview, Cacdac said the DMW is providing assistance to Alvarado’s family.

“So we are continually assisting the family through these difficult times and we are providing the necessary assistance in all forms, services, and financial support to the family,” he said.

Alvarado left behind three children who are all minors.

“We are helping and supporting the three minor children,” Cacdac said.

He added that the Philippine government is in close coordination with Kuwaiti authorities to monitor the investigation of the incident that led to Alvarado’s death together with two other foreign co-workers.

“Our lawyer is still on the ground. I’ve been apprised about the applicable Kuwaiti law, and yes, we are moving ahead with the filing of claims against whoever, hindi ko muna papangalanan pa kung sino (I will not yet name who these persons are), but whoever caused the mistake or the error,” Cacdac said.

Currently, he said the family has accepted the DMWs explanation on the switching of the remains, as the department commits to seeking justice in relation to Alvarado’s death.

He said the DMW is also looking into what exactly transpired on Jan. 2 when Jenny and her two co-workers died.

Based on initial reports from the Philippine Embassy in Kuwait, Alvarado and two other foreign workers died of coal suffocation after inhaling smoke from a heating system in their workplace.

“As I said, we are awaiting the results of the police report, police investigation as well as the autopsy results, and from there, we will move to the possibility of filing also a legal claim with respect to Jenny’s death,” Cacdac said.

The wrong cadaver that was delivered to Alvarado’s family has been returned to Kuwait, according to Cacdac.