Family cries foul over Ilongga OFW's death in Abu Dhabi

A family in Iloilo City has cried foul over the death of a kin in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.

The family received the news of the death on New Year's Eve.

Their kin, 44-year-old Mary Jill Muya of Barangay Cubay, Jaro, Iloilo City, was reportedly found dead inside her room in Abu Dhabi on December 31, 2025.

Muya spent about two decades in Abu Dhabi as an overseas Filipino worker (OFW).

"Six hours pa lang daw, bale last siyang nakita Sunday, 3:30 ng madaling araw. Mula noon, hindi na siya nakalabas ng silid niya," according to Muya's son, alias "Boy."

The family is disheartened at her sudden death because Muya had not told them of any job challenges. In fact, they said, Muya communicated with them on a regular basis, which makes the news difficult to accept.

"Sa pagkakakilala ko sa kanya, hindi niya talaga magawa 'yun. Kaya nga nagdududa kami, may foul play talaga. Kaya gusto naming ma-imbestigahan," her son added.

Aside from Muya's repatriation, the family seeks thorough investigation on the circumstances leading to her death.

The regional director of the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) 6 did not grant GMA Regional TV One Western Visayas an on-camera interview but assured the agency has already coordinated with the family of the OFW.

As of this writing (late Wednesday morning), processing of documents for the repatriation is ongoing.

According to OWWA records, Muya did not renew membership with the agency since 2022.

As to the family's accusation on foul play in Muya's death, OWWA entrusts the conduct of a thorough investigation to the authorities. — GMA Regional TV