OVERSEAS Filipino Worker, Dafnie Nacalaban, who was missing for around two months in Kuwait was reportedly found dead this week, said the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) on Thursday.
Nacalaban, a Filipina who had been working in Kuwait for five years, had planned to return home to surprise her family. However, her employer reported her missing in October, which was also the last time she communicated with her loved ones.
Her body was later discovered in an advanced state of decomposition in the backyard of a Kuwaiti residence.
It was not clear whether the alleged perpetrator was her employer. What was certain right now was the arrest of a prime suspect by Kuwaiti authorities.
“Hindi pa naitalaga ang timeline kung kailan talaga siya napaslang… Hindi pa malinaw kung employer niya yung naaresto, pero may indibidwal na naaresto at siya ang prime suspect sa pagkamatay,” said DMW Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac.
He also added that the suspect’s relationship with the victim remains unclear.
The alleged perpetrator’s arrest was caused by his own brother who turned him in to Kuwaiti authorities last December 31, according to Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Undersecretary Eduardo De Vega.
“Yung kapatid mismo ng suspect sinabihan yung pulis. In-investigate nung pulis. Nakita ng pulis sa bahay ‘yung bangkay, advanced state of decomposition, mag da-dalawang buwan na,” he said.
The suspect was also reported to have had a prior criminal record.
“We assure the Public that the government will do what it can to seek justice. Malungkot na nangyari ito, katapusan ng taon,” De Vega added.
Meanwhile, Cacdac assured the public that the government is working to bring justice for Nacalaban.
“Tayo ay nakikipag-coordinate. Mayroon tayong abogadong nakatutok sa kaso at nakikipag-coordinate sa Kuwaiti prosecution para malitis, mausig, at magkaroon tayo ng hustisya sa kaso na ito,” he said.
The Philippines and Kuwait were previously locked in a row over the abuse cases of Filipino migrant workers.
In 2023, the Philippines stopped the deployment of domestic workers in Kuwait after the brutal killing of OFW Jullebee Ranara who was found burned in the desert. The suspect was the 17-year old son of her employer.
Another case was of Joanna Demafelis, a Filipina maid who was found frozen in her employer’s apartment more than a year after she was reported missing. Her employers, who tried to flee the authorities, were also suspected in her murder.
Meanwhile, a recent case involving another Filipina domestic worker was reported in Kuwait. This time, the Filipina is the one suspected of perpetrating the murder. She allegedly killed a child by placing him inside a washing machine, according to the Gulf News report.
The crime was said to be committed “out of frustration”, the report added.
Charges were filed against the OFW.
