DMW: Prime suspect in Kuwait OFW slay has confessed

MANILA, Philippines — The prime suspect in the murder of 35-year-old overseas Filipino worker (OFW) Dafnie Nacalaban in Kuwait has confessed to the crime, the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) said yesterday.

Nacalaban’s decomposing body was found buried in the backyard of her employer in Saad Al-Abdullah, Al Jahra, Kuwait in December last year. Her employer reported in October that she was missing.

“We have valid reports coming to my office, for instance, that there was a confession on the part of the prime suspect,” Migrants Workers Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac said at a news forum in the Dapo Restaurant and Bar in Quezon City.

Cacdac said they are waiting for an update about the case from Kuwaiti authorities.

“I think we should already be expecting a report with respect to whether or not the prime suspect will be indicted or charged in court,” he said.

As the government is seeking justice for Nacalaban, Cacdac said their lawyers are ready to assist Kuwait in the prosecution of the suspect.

Nacalaban, who hails from Cagayan de Oro, had been employed in Kuwait as a household service worker since December 2019.

Possible ban

Cacdac said they are studying a possible deployment ban of OFWs to Kuwait following the death of Nacalaban and another OFW, Jenny Alvarado.

Alvarado died of coal smoke inhalation at her employer’s vacation house on Jan. 2. The government is also investigating a blunder in Kuwait after a different corpse was brought back to the country, which agitated Alvarado’s family.

According to Cacdac, President Marcos has already been informed about the cases of the OFWs.

On the switching of Alvarado’s body, Cacdac instructed their lawyer to study if cases could be filed against the service provider that brought another corpse back to the Philippines.

Cacdac took responsibility for the blunder and has apologized to Alvarado’s family. The government has also extended assistance to her relatives.

In case the Kuwaiti government is found at fault for the body switch, Cacdac said they will seek the help of the Department of Foreign Affairs on possible next steps.

There are currently about 215,000 Filipino domestic workers in Kuwait, the secretary said.