MANILA, Philippines - Vice President Jejomar Binay said yesterday that the remains of a female overseas Filipino worker (OFW) who died of breast cancer in Belgium last Oct. 13 have returned to the country.
Binay, presidential adviser on OFWs’ concerns, said the body of Milagros Villarin, a resident of Victoria, Laguna, arrived at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) on Oct. 28 via Etihad Airways flight 424.
He said the case of Villarin was brought to his attention while he was in Brussels, Belgium where he represented President Aquino in the 2012 European Development Days.
“I wish to extend my condolences to the family of Mrs. Villarin,” he said.
Binay said he immediately directed the Philippine embassy in Belgium to assist in the repatriation of Villarin’s remains.
Since Villarin was not a member of the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA), Binay had to ask OWWA Administrator Carmelita Dimzon to cover the cost of the body’s repatriation.
The Vice President said that the Office of the Undersecretary for Migrant and Workers Affairs has informed him that a police report from Brussels showed that Villarin died of cancer on Oct. 13.
The Belgium police ruled out foul play in the Filipino worker’s death, Binay said.