Slain OFW dreamed of buying a house for her family, says aunt

When Jeanelyn Villavende flew to Kuwait in July 2019 to work as domestic worker, she was filled with hope that one day, she could build a house for her family in South Cotabato.

But five months after her departure, Villavende was killed, allegedly by her abusive Kuwaiti employers.

Her family in Norala town had to face the coming of the new year with a heavy heart.

“Ang gusto niya, maiahon sa kahirapan at makapagpatayo ng bahay para sa pamilya niya,” Villavende’s aunt Nelly Padernal said in a "Balitanghali" report on Thursday.

Padernal said she began worrying about her niece when Villavende became more difficult to reach starting in October 2019.

In the rare times that Villavende got to speak with her family, her employer would always be monitoring the call, the aunt said.

The  recruitment agency that sent her to Kuwait once said Villavende had planned of returning home in January 2020.

Villavende's death was purportedly perpetrated by the wife of her employer. The Philippine Embassy in Kuwait said the Kuwaiti couple are now behind bars.

Malacañang made assurances the victim's family will get burial and financial assistance.

Malacañang on Wednesday said the murder of Villavende was a “clear disregard” of a 2018 agreement between the Philippines and Kuwait for the protection of Filipino workers. —Julia Mari Ornedo/LBG, GMA News