Dabawenya OFW arrives in coffin

THE remains of an overseas Filipino worker (OFW) who allegedly died due to electrocution inside a servants' quarter in Qatar arrived Friday.

The victim, Marianne Aguilar Jimenez, 34, from Mintal, Davao City, was allegedly burned intentionally inside her room around 3 p.m. (Qatar time) of June 17.

According to Jason Jimenez, the husband of the victim, he received a call from an unidentified OFW in Qatar informing him that his wife was in a hospital in Doha, Qatar.

He was told that 95 percent of Marianne's body was burned.

He said he was able to talk with the female employer who told him that Marianne was electrocuted while plugging in an appliance with wet hands. Marianne died shortly.

"I could not believe it would happen to my wife," Jason told reporters, adding that he believes there is foul play in his wife's instantaneous death.

He said he is requesting that an independent investigation be conducted by authorities, especially the Philippine Embassy.

He said the Philippine Embassy only sent them the death certificate of his wife but no copy of the autopsy.

He said they went to the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) to request for a copy of the document but proved futile.

Marianne was deployed last May 10 as household service worker by the Al Sadaf Manpower Recruitment with the Experts Placement Agency Inc. as local agent.

Based on the report of Philip Alano of the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (Owwa) in Doha, Qatar, Jimenez was found by Jammal Al Suete, totally burned.

She was rushed immediately to the Trauma Intensive Care Unit of Hamd Hospital where she passed away.

"I believe she was intentionally burned. I once called her and asked about her stay and employment in Qatar. She told me her female employer treats her well except for employer's daughter," Jason said.

The victim left three children age 14, 9 and 6.

Gil E. Lebria of Migrante-Middle East said the death of the victim must be given justice for they also believe there is foul play in the incident.

"Dapat mulihok na atong gobyerno ani labi na ang DFA, luoy ang pamilya. Dili lalim mamatyan ug OFW nga pamilyado (Our government should act on this. The death of a married OFW is never easy)," he said.

"Wala sa among study nga mag-abroad ang atong mga OFW para magpakamatay, nag abroad sila aron manginabuhi (Our study never tell us that Filipinos go abroad to commit suicide, but to find good job)," he added.

He said the Migrante will be helping the bereaved family of Marianne to cope with the terms of reminding the government agencies in providing emotional and financial assistance.

In a phone interview, Maria Elvira Ador, Owwa regional director, said they already provided the assistance needed by the family.

As of the press time, Ador said they are now waiting for the documents from Jason before they will hand over the financial assistance.

She said they still have to wait for the final report in order to identify the cause of death of the victim, whether it was a natural or accidental death.

She said they will be handing at least P120,000.

She said they will also be providing education assistance, which is also part of their program, for one of the three children of Jimenez.

To recall, Apple Gamale, 23, another OFW also arrived in coffin at the Davao International Airport from Singapore on May 16.

Gamale allegedly committed suicide at the building where her employer's unit is located.

The victim allegedly jumped off the balcony of her employer's unit, which was on the sixth floor. According to investigation conducted by Singaporean police, she was found dead at the fourth floor's balcony.