PB asks DFA to probe OFW's death

CEBU, Philippines - The Cebu Provincial Board (PB) has asked the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) to dig deeper into the circumstances of the death of a Cebuano Overseas Filipino Worker in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Governor Gwendolyn Garcia earlier wrote the DFA after the widow, Donalili Garcia, visited her office for help in seeking justice for the death of her husband, Glen.

The PB passed a resolution sponsored by Board Member Joven Mondigo, Jr. of Cebu’s 4th disrict supporting the move of the governor, especially since the victim came from the town of Tabogon which belongs to his district.

“It is befitting that the DFA probe deeply into this case to assuage their grief and bring closure for their search of justice as well as serving as confirmation of the government’s continuing commitment to minister to the needs of our OFWs, our present-day heroes,” Mondigo said.

Glen worked as a waiter in a known restaurant in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Reports said that Glen committed suicide by jumping from the ninth floor of the building where he was staying.

However, Donalili refused to believe such a report since she talked to her husband about 4:00 p.m. of October 9, the same day Glen allegedly jumped off the building. Her husband’s remains arrived in Cebu last October 12.

Donalili remembered several occasions when her husband told her of his plan to come home for good.

His parents, both farmers from Tabogon town, also appealed for justice saying they can’t accept the sudden death of their child and the sole breadwinner in the family.

His death certificate stated that Glen died of multiple injuries as a result of the fall.

A report from the Philippine Overseas Workers Welfare Administration in Malaysia also said that Glen’s friend suspected that he jumped from the building.

It quoted a police report which stated that a friend confirmed that he saw OFW Garcia lying down on the path from the 8th floor of the building where they lived and suspected that the worker might have jumped down.

Glen was a registered OFW so his family was entitled to cash and burial aid as well as education and livelihood assistance from OWWA.  (FREEMAN)