DFA: No foul play in Pinay’s death in Singapore

There was no indication of foul play in the death of a Filipina domestic helper in Singapore last Saturday as shown in initial findings of the Singaporean police, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) reported yesterday.

In a report to Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto Romulo, Philippine Ambassador to Singapore Belen Anota said that at this point, the police do not suspect foul play in the death of Filipina Aline Arguelles.

However, Anota said that police have yet to conclude their investigation into the incident, and have not yet ruled out a criminal angle.

According to Anota, a critically injured Arguelles was found at the ground floor of her employer’s apartment building at Jurong West St. at around 9 p.m.

Arguelles was still alive when she was discovered with a massive fracture to her forehead.

She was rushed to the National University Hospital but died more than an hour later due to the severity of her injury.

Relatives of 38-year-old Arguelles in President Roxas in Capiz province have aired their suspicion that Arguelles was a victim of foul play and would not accept the theory of suicide.

Foreign Affairs Spokesman Gilberto Asuque said the victim apparently fell accidentally from the window of her employer’s apartment while fixing the laundry poles.

A chair was found just beside the kitchen window and two laundry poles were also discovered beneath the same window.

Asuque said that police had found no signs of violence in the kitchen based on the report of the police.

He also noted that the Embassy has repeatedly advised Filipino domestic workers to refrain from working around the windows of buildings, especially when hanging clothes or cleaning.

She said that a coroner’s inquiry would be convened to determine the circumstances surrounding the death of Arguelles.

Foreign Affairs Undersecretary for Migrant Workers’ Affairs Jose Brillantes has assured the relatives of Arguelles that the remains of the victim would be repatriated as soon as the coroner’s inquiry is concluded. — Marvin Sy