Slovakia vows justice for slain OFW
MANILA, Philippines — Slovakian Prime Minister Peter Pelligrini assured the Philippines that justice would be served for the death of a Filipino financial analyst.
On May 31, 36-year-old Henry John Acorda passed away from injuries he sustained days after he was assaulted when he tried to intervene when he saw two men harassing his female companions in the street in Bratislava.
"These are very bad signals for our society. Justice must be immediately delivered," Pelligrini said as quoted by Slovak media.
Acorda's death sparked outrage among expats living in Slovakia, some of them shared their stories about how they experienced assaults in the streets of Bratislava, The Slovak Spectator reported.
Slovak police, however, neither confirmed nor denied whether the attack was racially motivated.
The suspect has been identified as Hiraj Hossu, 28, who is now under custody and has been charged with manslaughter.
The Philippine government has expressed its appreciation for the assurance of the Slovak leader that Acorda would attain justice.
"We also thank the people of Slovakia for standing in grief and solidarity with us over this tragedy," Foreign Affairs Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano said.
On Wednesday, Ambassador Ma. Cleofe Natividad personally conveyed the condolences of Cayetano to the mother and two siblings of Acorda.
The Philippine envoy assured the aggrieved family that the Philippine Embassy would extend all possible assistance to them including the repatriation of Acorda's remains to Taguig City.
The embassy would also assist the family in hiring lawyers for the case against Hossu, the Department of Foreign Affairs said.
"Ambassador Natividad said the Embassy is coordinating with the family on the final arrangements for Acorda’s repatriation to the Philippines," the DFA said in a statement. — Patricia Lourdes Viray
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