THE Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) yesterday said the remains of Filipino domestic worker Jullebee Ranara, whose burnt corpse was found in a desert in Kuwait is set to be repatriated this evening.

DFA Undersecretary Eduardo de Vega said Ranara’s employer agreed to shoulder the cost of the repatriation.

“The embassy has already worked with the employer so that the remains would be brought home and that would be Friday night,” he said.

De Vega said the Philippine Embassy in Kuwait has also provided a lawyer to handle the case and would continue to work with Kuwaiti authorities to bring justice to Ranara.

Ranara’s charred body, with the skull smashed, was recovered by the Kuwaiti police at the Salmi, Al-Jarah Governorate on Jan. 21.

The 17 year-old suspect, who is the son of Ranara’s employer, is now in police custody.

Migrant Workers Secretary Susan Ople earlier said Ranara’s mother was initially informed by the late Filipina herself that she was being threatened by her employer’s son

CHR DECRIES RANARA’S ‘BRUTAL KILLING‘

The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) condemned the brutal killing Ranara.

In a statement, the CHR emphasized that “one death is too many” and there are many OFWs seeking refuge in shelters and awaiting repatriation.

The CHR joined the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) in monitoring the progress of the case and echoed the calls for the swift dispensation of justice against the perpetrator.

“The Commission acknowledges the swift action of DMW, through Secretary Susan Ople, who met with Jullebee’s family and guaranteed necessary assistance from the government,” it said.

In 2018, CHR urged the national government to “reflect and adopt the necessary reforms to strengthen and uphold the rights of migrant workers, especially those working as domestic workers,” following the death of seven overseas Filipinos also working in Kuwait then.

“It is clear that full implementation of employment standards—including safe working conditions, timely remuneration, and protection from maltreatment—in line with migrants’ human rights, must be demanded by the Philippines from foreign employers and other States,” the CHR said.

The commission also emphasized that common approaches such as information sharing, access to legal aid and quick response protocols are of immense help to OFWs especially when faced with threatening circumstances. Philippine News Agency