Palace welcomes filing of murder charges vs OFW killers in Kuwait

January 28, 2020

Malacanang welcomed on Tuesday the filing of murder charges against a Kuwaiti couple for the death of a Filipina domestic helper.

But in the meantime, the total ban on the deployment of Filipino workers in the Gulf state stays, Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said in a press briefing.

"That's what we have been asking for -- justice, that they (Kuwaiti authorities) file charges (against the suspects). We welcome that," he said.

Asked what would happen to the total ban in the deployment of Filipino workers in Kuwait, Panelo, who is also the chief presidential legal counsel, said it would remain.

"The ban is temporary," he said.

Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III  said he was informed that murder case has been filed against the suspects in the killing of Filipina Jeanelyn Villavende.

The domestic worker from South Cotabato reportedly suffered months of abuses, including sexual abuse, until her death last December. 

The Philippine government has started implementing a total ban in the deployment of overseas Filipino workers to Kuwait by the middle of this month following the Villavende's slay. Celerina Monte/DMS