DFA: Beheaded Pinoy’s body treated with respect

MANILA, Philippines - The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) denied yesterday allegations that the body of a construction worker, beheaded in Libya last July, had been mishandled.

Antonio Espares’ remains arrived at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Saturday night. His widow said her husband’s remains were covered with a trash bag.

“We can assure you that the handling of the remains from repatriation until its arrival in Manila has been treated with dignity and respect,” DFA spokesman Charles Jose said in a press briefing.

Under the custody of the hospital at the Benghazi Medical Center, the DFA said the doctors ensured that the body was stored properly despite the lack of hospital supplies.

According to the DFA, the coffin was sealed when it was brought to Tripoli from Benghazi then Tunisia for a commercial flight to Manila.

Espares’ family is entitled to his unpaid salary for June and July and his insurance as an active Overseas Workers Welfare Administration member. His employer shouldered the repatriation of the remains and will also hand a donation of $2,000 to his family.

Espares, reportedly singled out because he was not a Muslim, was kidnapped and beheaded by an armed group in Benghazi last July. The DFA warned that foreigners, especially non-Muslims, have become “high-value targets” in Libya.

A Filipino nurse was also kidnapped and raped in Tripoli, Libya in July.

The DFA imposed a total deployment ban on Libya last July 20 and called for the mandatory repatriation of all Filipinos in the war-torn country.