Over P5M raised for Filipino student slain in Ireland

MANILA, Philippines — A day after publishing the online fundraising page for the funeral of a Filipina student killed in Ireland, pledges have already reached P5 million.

An open group of volunteers called Outreach Ireland on Tuesday set up a GoFundMe crowdfunding page to support the family of 24-year-old Jastine Valdez. The volunteer group has been helping the Philippine Embassy run outreach missions and other Philippine-related events in Ireland.

READ: Filipino student kidnapped, slain in Ireland

Irish reporter Richard Chambers said the Filipino community in Ireland is rallying behind the crowdfunding page to help the Valdez family bring Jastine’s remains back to the Philippines.

“Huge outpouring of support from one of Ireland's most prolific international communities,” Chambers added.

As of posting, the GoFundMe page intended for Valdez’s memorial fund, already reached €91,440 or P5.62 million. It exceeded its €10,000 goal within a day as more than 3,244 individuals pledged to help.

“This page was set up to facilitate all of those who wish to offer support and sympathy to the family of Jastine Valdez following her devastating death,” the page created last May 21 read.

“The Valdez family [has] lost their only child, they are facing a situation that no person on this earth should have to face. They are parents saying goodbye to their child. The circumstances on how they lost their daughter are public knowledge and are in the link below so reciting an account will serve no purpose,” it added.

Outreach Ireland, which organized the crowdfunding page, assured the supporters that any and all the funds donated would go directly to the parents of Jastine to help them in the weeks and months ahead. It added that the transfer and oversight of the funds would be documented and made public

The volunteer group said a Dublin-based lawyer who offered his services for free will oversee and audit the account and verify the funds paid directly to the Valdez family.

On Tuesday, the Department of Foreign Affairs reported the demise of Jastine. She was earlier reported to have been abducted in Wicklow County.

The Philippine embassy in London, citing reports from the consulate in Dublin, said Valdez was last seen by witnesses on Saturday being dragged into a black Nissan car.

The suspect to her murder, identified as Mark Hennessy, 40, was shot dead on Sunday during a supposed arrest for his kidnapping.

Irish media said the Gardai, the police force of the Republic of Ireland, is awaiting a full pathologist report to see if Jastine was sexually assaulted.

Ambassador Antonio Lagdameo said the DFA already expressed its sympathy to the bereaved family. He also said the DFA may extend assistance to the Valdez family.

According to Outreach Ireland, Valdez was born in the Philippine and came to Ireland to study and join her parents who are now naturalized Irish citizens. She was an accounting student.

Irish media reported that hundreds of supported attended the vigil to pay tribute to Jastine. Her remains would reportedly be returned to her hometown in Aritao, Nueva Vizcaya.