Remains of Pinoy killed in Iraq to arrive tomorrow

MANILA, Philippines – The remains of the Filipino cook killed in a mortar attack in Baghdad’s Green Zone last Friday will arrive in Manila tomorrow, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said.

DFA spokesperson Claro Cristobal said yesterday the Philippine Embassy in Kuwait reported to the DFA that the body of Jonasis Saguid, 32, from Paco, Manila, will be flown out of Kuwait today. His body was to arrive in Kuwait yesterday afternoon.

Saguid has worked for more than two years at Groundworks Incorporated. Philippine Ambassador to Kuwait Ricardo Endaya said Saguid died in a military hospital. His kidney was badly damaged.

Endaya said Saguid is believed to have entered Iraq via Dubai of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) despite the travel ban to Iraq.

Cristobal said two female Filipino workers identified only as Julie and Rose survived the attack and are now out of danger. The two have been working as cleaners for the same company.

“Both are now out of danger,” Cristobal said.

Endaya had issued a note verbale addressed to the Kuwaiti government conveying that the Philippine government’s ban on deployment of OFWs to Iraq still stands.

In the note verbale, the government requested the Kuwaiti government to help Manila enforce the ban.  – Pia Lee-Brago