Pinay domestic helper killed in Palau

KOROR, Palau — A Filipina domestic helper here died last Wednesday after she was hacked several times by a young man. Philippine Ambassador to Palau Ramoncito Marino identified the victim as Virginia Ventura, 43, who has four children back in the Philippines. Marino said that while Ventura was walking on her way home from a part-time job at the Palau International Airport, a 17-year-old man approached her and asked for money. Because Ventura refused to give him money, the young man, whose identity is yet to be known, inflicted fatal wounds on Ventura’s arms and fractured her skull, Marino added. The victim was rushed to the hospital but was pronounced dead on arrival, Marino said. Meanwhile, the Justice Ministry of Palau told the embassy that the suspect is now under the police custody, said Marino, adding that he has personally called the Palau Attorney General’s Office to ensure the prosecution of the suspect. Ventura had been working in Palau for 15 years and was supposed to return home to the Philippines on June 28. However, she had failed to go home due to lack of financial capacity to pay for her plane ticket. Ventura’s remains will be sent to the victim’s relatives at the expense of her employer. — Bernadette H. Carreon/JE, GMA News