Gov’t to shoulder repatriation cost of newly-weds’ remains from Maldives

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) has vowed to shoulder the repatriation of the remains of the newly-weds who drowned while snorkeling in waters off the Maldives over the weekend, the families of the victims have said.

After their meeting with the DFA officials on Tuesday, the father of Leomer Lagradilla said Foreign Affairs Secretary Teddy Locsin gave them the assurance that the agency will be handling the expenses.

"Hindi po kami pinaalis ni Secretary Boy hangga't hindi po niya pinipirmahan sa harap namin. 'Yun po ay assurance na 101% na maiuuwi po ang bangkay ng aking anak at ng aking manugang nang wala pong gastos," Leomer's father said.

"Nagre-rely ako sa DFA na maiuuwi nila as much as possible," he added.

"In behalf of my family po, maraming maraming salamat, ngayon po ay may assurance na po kami, nakita na po namin 'yung liwanag na ilang araw, ilang gabi din kaming hindi mapakali. Ngayon po, mag-aantay na lang po kami na kung kailan po namin makikita 'yung kanilang mga labi," Erika Joyce's aunt said.

"Nagpapasalamat po kami sa lahat, lalong lalo na po dito sa DFA. Kung hindi po dahil sa kanila hindi pa rin po kami mapapakali dahil ilang araw na po na ang isip namin is paano po namin madadala ang bangkay ng mag-asawa dito sa atin sa 'Pinas?" she added. —NB, GMA News