Progressive solons seek probe into Demafelis’ death

Progressive lawmakers from the House of Representatives on Tuesday filed a resolution seeking to investigate the death of Joanna Demafelis, the Filipino domestic worker whose body was found in a freezer in an apartment in Kuwait.

In House Resolution 1708, the seven-member Makabayan bloc sought the House Committee on Overseas Workers Affairs to conduct an inquiry into Demafelis' case, with the end view of protecting the welfare of Overseas Filipino Workers.

"We convey our condolences to the family of Demafelis as we join the mounting calls for investigation and justice over her gruesome death. Joanna now stands as another sad reminder of the horrors of labor export policy,” said Gabriela Women's Party Representative Emmi de Jesus, one of the authors of the resolution.

“The numerous cases of slain or abused OFWs from Kuwait should not merely prod the Duterte regime to review the deployment agreement with the Arab state but also junk the already moribund labor export framework in general. Rather than merely push for employment conditions abroad for Filipinos, why not prioritize creating decent jobs at home?” she added.

The women's party-list also called Duterte to disclose the new bilateral agreement being finalized with Kuwait.

Other authors of the resolution include fellow Gabriela Women's Party Representative Arlene Brosas, Bayan Muna party-list Representative Carlos Zarate, Anakpawis party-list Representative Ariel Casilao, ACT Teachers party-list Representatives Antonio Tinio and France Castro, and Kabataan party-list Representative Sarah Elago.

Demafelis' body was brought back to the Philippines on Saturday.

Autopsy report shows that Demafelis died due to severe beating, allegedly at the hands of her employer.

At the Senate, Senator Grace Poe also filed a resolution calling for an investigation into Demafelis' death. — BM, GMA News