MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine government is looking into the alleged switching of the remains of Filipina worker Jenny Alvarado who died in Kuwait on Jan. 2.
Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) Secretary Hans Cacdac said the Philippine labor attache and lawyers hired by the government were tasked to investigate the incident.
He said the remains of Alvarado are expected to arrive in Manila tomorrow.
Cacdac said he met with the family of Alvarado and extended apologies.
He ordered the immediate repatriation of Alvarado’s remains from Kuwait.
The cadaver of Alvarado was switched with that of a Nepali worker.
House Assistant Minority Leader and Gabriela party-list Rep. Arlene Brosas said the DMW and the Philippine embassy in Kuwait must be held accountable for the blunder.
“This is an insult to the dignity of the OFW and her family,” Brosas said. “How did it happen that the cadaver of the Nepali national was the one brought to the Philippines while the Alvarado children are waiting for their mother’s?”
Brosas said the incident caused distress to Alvarado’s husband and her five children, who discovered that the wrong remains had been repatriated after opening the casket at a funeral home in Cavite.
“We demand answers from the DMW and our embassy officials. Where are the remains of Jenny now? Why is there an improper identification process? This negligence is unacceptable,” she said.
Alvarado died of suffocation, according to her Kuwaiti employer.
“We need to ensure that there was no foul play in her death,” Brosas said. “Our OFWs deserve dignity even in death. We will not stop until justice is served for Jenny and her family.”