Speaker Romualdez: Conviction of Ranara killer allays OFWs fears
Culprit gets 15 years
SPEAKER Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez welcomed on Friday the Kuwaiti Court’s conviction of the killer of Filipino domestic helper Jullebee Ranara, saying it sends a positive message to all overseas Filipino workers (OFWs).
“We thank the authorities in Kuwait–from its police force to its court–for helping serve justice in the case of our kababayan, Jullebee Ranara,” Speaker Romualdez said.
Ranara was the 35-year-old household service worker in Kuwait killed by the son of her employer in January of 2023
“Her brutal killing shocked us to our core, especially the OFWs. This verdict goes a long way in assuaging their fears. All they want is to do decent work in order to build their families’ future,” said the leader of the 311-strong House of Representatives.
The Speaker also thanked Philippine officials from the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW), the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) and other agencies for seeing the Ranara case through.
Kabayan Rep. Ron Salo, chairman of the House committee on overseas workers affairs, joined Speaker Romualdez in welcoming the conviction of the killer of Ranara.
“This is a significant milestone for justice and accountability. I laud the Kuwaiti government for their swift delivery of justice for the case of Jullebee Ranara,” Salo remarked.
“I commend the Kuwaiti courts for their commitment in upholding the rule of law and ensuring that justice prevails. This verdict sends a clear message that crimes against our Filipino migrant workers will not go unpunished,” Salo stated.
“I also express my gratitude to the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW), the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) and the other government agencies involved for ensuring that the killer be held accountable for this gruesome crime,” Salo added.
Salo, however, also emphasized that while this verdict is a positive step, there is still much that needs to be done to enhance the protection of OFWs.
“Jullebee Ranara’s case is a stark reminder of the challenges faced by Filipino migrant workers in their pursuit of better opportunities overseas.
The Filipino government, alongside the international community, must continue to collaborate to ensure the safety and welfare of our overseas workers,” Salo concluded.
The Juvenile Court in Kuwait sentenced Ranara’s killer, Turki Ayed Al-Azmi to 15 years imprisonment.
Her body was found burned in a desert near Al-Salmi Road on January 21, 2023.
An autopsy report conducted by Kuwait authorities stated she was pregnant at the time of her murder, according to Kuwaiti media. With Cristina Lee-Pisco
