RP Embassy confirms deaths of OFWs in Kuwait

The Philippine Embassy in Kuwait confirmed onTuesday the deaths of two overseas Filipino workers in separate incidents.

Astria Samad Abdul, a Maguindanao native, was tortured to death by her employers, spouses Abdulaziz al Falekh and Rabagh Mustafa Sahata. Both are Kuwaitis of Egyptian descent.

The couple admitted to the Kuwait police of torturing the Filipina to death and leaving her body in the Kabd desert area. The police found her remains on July 17.

The remains will be subjected to further forensic examination and then repatriated to the Philippines.

Criminal charges have been filed against the couple.

“The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) has authorized the Embassy to secure the services of a private law firm to assist the local prosecutors in handling the case,” Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto Romulo said.

Under the Revised Migrant Workers Act, the uses of the Legal Assistance Fund have been expanded to cover both the legal defense and prosecution of employers who maltreat their Filipino workers.

Meanwhile, Cotabato native Norhaisa Nasa Andaw was stabbed to death by her Egyptian husband, Atallah Mohammad, at a salon in Jabriya.

According to the Embassy, Andaw’s husband allegedly stabbed the Filipina wife due to jealousy.  She suffered 31 stab wounds before her husband fled the scene, leaving behind the knife and his slippers.

The case is already with the prosecutors, as a warrant of arrest and hold departure order have been issued against the husband, the DFA confirmed.

The Embassy is closely following both cases, and are in constant contact with the DFA on the developments, according to the DFA press release.

It further said the DFA Office of the Undersecretary for Migrant Workers Affairs are also in close contact with the families of the victims and promised to provide assistance.