EDITORIAL — Another grim reminder

It has happened yet again. Another Overseas Filipino Worker has been found dead in Kuwait.

Someone has been arrested in connection with the death of OFW Dafnie Nacalaban, who had been declared missing since October and whose remains were found in a private residence in Kuwait last December 31.

Early indications seem to point to murder, according to Migrant Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac.

“The timeline of when exactly the person was killed has not yet been established. It is still unclear if the person arrested is their employer, but an individual has been apprehended, and they are the prime suspect in the death,” he said in a radio interview.

Before we say that our government is inutile in protecting our OFWs we should realize that fact that not even the richest and most competent governments can guarantee 100% protection of its nationals overseas.

Before we again blame Kuwait for failing to make sure our OFWs aren’t abused or killed we should realize that in any country, rich or poor, there will always be those driven to do the unthinkable. Not that we are justifying such an act; taking the life of another in such a manner should never be justified.

But this should again serve as a reminder that working abroad will come with attendant benefits as well as risks. It’s not the same here when we can just run to lawmen or government officials for assistance when we need help. In a foreign country OFWs may not know whom to immediately turn to, and even if they did such help may not be immediately available.

This should also be a reminder that more must be done to make sure jobs here pay well and enough to support a family.

This is so that people in the situation of Nacalaban, like Jullebee Ranara, who was also found dead in Kuwait; Marjorette Garcia, stabbed dead by a jealous co-worker in Saudi Arabia; and Mary Grace Santos, who was killed by the son of her employer in Amman, Jordan, don’t have to leave the country to find good-paying jobs.