Kin of OFW asks Capitol’s aid for repatriation of body

CEBU, Philippines - All 18-year-old Methuseal Camocamo wished for her debut in October last year was to embrace her mother, Lotis, 35, who has been working as a domestic helper in Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for more than two years.

“Cellphone unta to pero ako siyang giingnan nga di na lang kay gusto nako nga mouli na gyod siya kay miss na gyod namo siya,” a tearful Methuseal shared with The FREEMAN.

A few weeks before her birthday on October 22, Methuseal said she was filled with joy after her mother called her on the phone, assuring that she would be home sooner.

Lotis was scheduled to return home February this year.

However, Methuseal said she did not know that that would be her last chance to hear her mother’s voice and the awaited reunion would never happen.

On December 27, Methuseal’s excitement turned to wail after knowing that her mother died in October 29.

Methuseal said she was more anxious to see her mother the soonest time possible, but her remains were still in Riyadh as of yesterday.

Methuseal, together with her relatives, went to the Capitol yesterday to seek help from the provincial government for the transportation of Lotis’ body to Cebu, particularly to their home in Toledo City.

Lotis’ mother Zenaida Yu, 59, relayed to the media that her daughter died due to seve-ral blows to her chest, face and head, as revealed in an autopsy. She said they were informed that Lotis reportedly died after falling off from the third floor of her employer’s house.

She suspected that it was Lotis’ woman employer (name withheld pending investigation), who is liable for her daughter’s death. She recounted that Lotis often complained of being beaten and deprived of communication with them by her employer.

Phone calls were also the only means used by Lotis’ husband, Domingo, who is also working in Saudi Arabia, to communicate with her since her employer reportedly bars her from meeting her husband.

On December 27, Domingo was able to reach Lotis’ contact number, but it was still the employer who answered, this time, reporting that Lotis died and her remains was turned over to the Philippine Embassy.

Yu further alleged that the transportation of Lotis’ remains has not been acted on by concerned government agencies, prompting them to seek help from the province.

Vice Governor Agnes Magpale said the Capitol, through the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office, assures to coordinate with the Department of Foreign Affairs to expedite the repatriation of Lotis’ remains.

The Capitol also assures to shoulder funeral expenses once Lotis’ remains arrive in the country. — (FREEMAN)