DFA promises to look into death of Cebuana

The Department of Foreign Affairs has intervened in the case on the reported death of a 27-year-old Cebuana in Greece over the weekend.

The relatives of Claudine Gabisan Valkanas yesterday sought the assistance of DFA regional director Angel Espiritu over the incident.

Alma Gabisan, the mother of the victim, cried in front of Espiritu, expressing her concern over the death of her daughter, who was earlier reported to have died when their yacht collided with a passenger ship last Saturday.

The victim and her husband, Etstathlos Valkanas, live in Perraiss, Greece.

Espiritu said they would coordinate with the Philippine embassy in Athens to verify whether Claudine's death was an accident.

An initial report that Espiritu received from their central office in Manila said there was no information about a ship collision involving the Filipina over the weekend. "Let's hope na walang nangyari sa kanya " Espiritu said

Espiritu said they would facilitate for the immediate repatriation of Claudine's body once her death is verified through the Philippine embassy in Athens.

However, Espiritu said if Claudine's relatives decided to repatriate her body, they could not file criminal charges against Valkanas because they have no jurisdiction over the case. "It's up to the family to decide whether to bring immediately the body or maghintay sila sa investigation sa polisya. "

Valkanas and Claudine Gabisan, who were pen pals, were married in the Philippines on June 26, 2000. They had two children: Sofia and Hercules.

The Gabisan family only came to know about Claudine's death from her close friend who also works in Greece.

"Karon bag-o nanawagan na sab ang suod nga higala ni Claudine ug niingon nga wala pa daw makit-i ang patay'ng lawas ni Claudine. Naglibog na mi ron ug hangtod ron wa pa sab motawag si Valkanas namo nga siya man unta ang bana," said Laura Gabisan, the younger sister of Claudine.

Last June 5, Claudine told Laura through a telephone conversation that she wanted to leave her husband because of their constant fights due to his jealousy.

"Grabi ka seloso si Steve (Etstathlos) ug magsigi lang to sila og away, " Laura told Espiritu. - Ramil V. Ayuman