PHL Embassy assisting family of Pinay killed in Syria

Published January 11, 2012 2:30pm

The Philippine Embassy in Damascus said it is assisting the family of overseas Filipino worker (OFW) Ma. Violeta Cortez, who died three days after figuring in a hit-and-run accident on January 5. In a report to the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), the embassy said Cortez died on January 8 at the al-Mujtahed hospital in Damascus allegedly due to head trauma sustained in a hit-and-run accident days earlier.

The DFA said the family of Cortez has been informed about the incident.

Meanwhile, Cortez’s sister, who is also an OFW in Syria, arrived at the Embassy on January 9 to attend to her sister’s remains. The Embassy negotiated with her employer to allow her to go home to the Philippines and accompany the shipment of her sister’s remains.

The Embassy is making the necessary representation and coordination with the Syrian authorities and Ms. Cortez’s employer for the immediate repatriation of her remains.

In a report, Midan Police Station said Cortez was found unconscious at the al-Mutahalek bridge, one of the busiest highways in Damascus.

Cortez’s employer, summoned by the Midan Police Station, said the Filipina earlier left his house at the al-Assad suburbs but did not know about the accident until he was summoned by police authorities.

The Embassy has elevated the case to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Syria so that a full and speedy investigation could be conducted on Cortez’s death. - VVP, GMA News

Tags: syria, pinoysinsyria, pinoycrime