POEA clarifies status of slain OFW

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) yesterday clarified that slain Filipino household worker Romalyn Basalo was not an irregular or undocumented worker.

POEA deputy administrator Hans Cacdac said he merely stated that Basalo has no records with the agency, but it does not necessarily mean that she entered Austria illegally.

Cacdac said the POEA processed Basalo for deployment as a household worker for Lebanon prior to the imposition of the deployment ban there in July 2006.

He added that she was apparently hired by the Lebanese ambassador to Austria in Lebanon after the completion of her contract. She reportedly transferred to Austria using a diplomatic visa.

Basalo’s body was found in the residence of the Lebanese ambassador on Dec. 29. It was reported that another Filipino, whose name is yet to be released, has been arrested for the killing.