THE  Kuwaiti government has vowed to serve justice to slain OFW Jullebee Ranara, whose body was found charred at a desert Sunday, Department of Migrants Workers (DMW) said. 

In a letter sent to DMW, Kuwaiti Ambassador Musaed Saleh Althwaikh said that both the Kuwaiti government and its people were appalled by the heinousness of the crime. He went on to assure that they would not allow such acts go unpunished. 

“The circumstances of her death are very concerning to us as it is to you,” the letter said. 

“The news of this heinous act was met with outrage by the Kuwaiti society. This matter is currently being investigated by the very efficient and competent Kuwait Interior Ministry and the Police force where no stone will be left unturned till the individuals behind this crime are arrested and brought to justice,” it added.

Ranara’s body was expected to arrive Friday, January 27,  at around 9 pm. Her family would have a private moment first with the victim before they turn over the body to the National Bureau of Investigation for an autopsy.

No proof Ranara pregnant

A public outrage ensued following the news of Ranara’s gruesome death allegedly perpetuated by the son of her employer. 

According to initial reports, the 35-year-old domestic helper was found along Salim Road in Kuwait, her body already charred beyond recognition with indications of having sustained head injuries and was reportedly raped and pregnant at the time of her death. 

The DNA samples were said to have matched that of the accused. 

DMW Secretary Susan “Toots” Ople said she wanted to ascertain the facts of the killings first.

“I personally have not seen official documentation to that effect which is why we want to also discuss the elements of this criminal case with the Kuwaiti lawyer, with our ambassador and with our MWO Senior staff just so we have a firmer understanding of the legal battle that lies ahead,” she said.

The victim’s family, according to Ople, is not accommodating unverified reports about Ranara yet.

“The family is appealing for dignity for Julleebee and prefers not to discuss those speculative issues as of now,” she added. 

When the perpetrator is a minor 

What complicates the case even more is that the involved alleged perpetrator is a 17-year-old, a minor.

Conferences between the two countries would have to ensue to conclude fitting legal remedies in cases involving minors. 

“We need to have a meeting with our ambassador in Kuwait, with our MWO [Migrant Workers Office] personnel and also the private lawyer engaged by our embassy to discuss: Ano ba yung batas sa Kuwait governing crimes committed by a minor?” she said.  

“They have laws that will come into play if a minor is involved. What is important is that the police acted quickly, the minor or the primary suspect is now in the custody of the Kuwaiti police and we are closely monitoring the case together with the DFA and the family is kept updated,” she followed. 

Not time for deployment ban, yet

Despite the killing of Ranara, the DMW does not see implementing a deployment ban to Kuwait. 

“Kailangan open and communication lines at this time dahil ang priority nga natin ay ‘yung request ng pamilya na magkaroon ng active pursuit of justice in their behalf. ‘Pag nag ban kasi tayo, madaming avenues for labor diplomacy na magsasara and kawawa rin naman ‘yung mga ibang distressed workers na in need of assistance that we can send only through the cooperation of the Kuwaiti government.” 

Ople cited for example having imposed a ban in the past only to lift it because of complications that followed. This is why the DMW is resorting to settle things instead in full communication with the Kuwaiti government so that additional safeguards protecting the rights and welfare of OFWs may be considered. 

“Now if we impose a ban, the opportunity for reforms medyo maantala yun kasi usually pag sinabi mong.. Ban wala na paguusapan yung dalawang bansa, but in this case we want the full cooperation of the Kuwaiti government,” she said.

Sanctions on recruiters, employer 

Investigation about Ranara’s death is now underway.

As of the moment, her local recruitment agency, Catalist International as well as its Foreign Recruitment Agency (FRA) counterpart Platinum International Office are now facing recruitment violation cases. 

According to Undersecretary for Licensing and Adjudication Services Bernard Olalia, gaps and acts of negligence both from the Philippine and Kuwaiti recruitment agencies, if proven merit appropriate sanctions. 

“Meron na po tayong inimpose na disciplinary sanction, we have preventively suspended the employer because of the death of our OFW. Sinampahan na din po natin ng disciplinary action against the employer,” he said. 

“Si agency naman po yung Catalist yung local recruitment agency dito at ‘yung kanyang counterpart ‘yung FRA na si Platinum meron din pong hinaharap na recruitment violation case at saka isang disciplinary action,” he added.

Added Ople: “Definitely blacklisted na ‘yung employer.”

A preliminary conference is set to be scheduled immediately upon the receipt of the complaint. 

The DMW has also instructed Catalist International to contact all of their workers in Kuwait and check their status. At present, the agency has 55 OFWs still under deployment in Kuwait.