Tulfo wants total OFW deployment ban to Kuwait

MANILA, Philippines — Sen. Raffy Tulfo yesterday renewed his call for a total deployment ban to Kuwait following the deaths of two overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in the Arab country.

Tulfo led a Senate migrant workers committee hearing yesterday.

The families of slain OFWs Jenny Alvarado and Dafnie Nacalaban attended the probe.

Alvarado and two other migrant workers died in Kuwait on Jan. 2 due to smoke inhalation from a coal heating system.

Nacalaban was found buried in the backyard of her employer last December. She was reported missing in October 2024.

“The problem lies with the Kuwaiti employers. We have to tell the people in Kuwait that enough is enough. Job loss of thousands is better than the death of one OFW,” Tulfo said.

Alvarado’s daughters Angel and Nathania Mae testified during the hearing about their anguish when they learned of her death, which was worsened with the arrival of the wrong cadaver due to the shipping agency’s negligence.

The remains of Alvarado’s Nepalese colleague were shipped to the Philippines on Jan. 10.

Alvarado’s body arrived in the country on Jan. 16 after the mix-up.

Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Cacdac apologized to the family of Nacalaban, saying that charges for negligence and wrongful repatriation would be filed against the service provider.

Tulfo said he believed there was foul play, with Alvarado’s daughter claiming she earlier called the Kuwaiti police on her employers.

Cacdac asked for a week to consider Tulfo’s proposal for Malacañang to declare a total deployment ban to Kuwait.

The Philippines imposed a deployment ban on new hires in Kuwait in 2023 following the murder of Jullebee Ranara by her employer’s son. The ban was lifted last year.