Family of slain OFW in Kuwait happy with death penalty vs. suspects

The family of the slain Filipina domestic worker, Jeanelyn Villavende, on Thursday welcome the court decision on the case against the victim’s Kuwaiti employers.

According to Rida Reyes’ report on “24 Oras,” Villavende’s female employer was served the death penalty while her husband was charged with 4-year imprisonment for covering up and not reporting the crime.

“Isa itong good news para sa aming pamilya dahil isang taon po na hinintay namin para mabigyan ng hustisya ang nangyari kay Jeanelyn,” Richard Padernal, Villavende’s uncle, said.

However, the family admitted that they were disappointed with the sentence given to the husband.

“Ang hatol po sana sa amin, side namin, dapat silang dalawa po,” Padernal said.

Villavende was killed by her female employer in Kuwait due to jealousy on December 28, 2019.

Results of the autopsy made by the Kuwaiti Ministry of Health showed that the victim died after multiple organ failure following severe beating.

Meanwhile, autopsy results of the National Bureau of Investigation showed that there were indications that the victim was taken advantage of.

Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. had also expressed the Kuwaiti Government for their decision.

“The Court’s decision was fair and in accordance with law and Sharia as the accused assaulted her Filipino employee for days and imprisoned her in a room until her death,” Locsin said in a tweet.

The Philippine Embassy in Kuwait saw the outcome of the case as a lesson for employers.

“May the court’s decision on the Villavende murder case serve as a reminder to everyone that no Filipino is a slave to anyone, anywhere, and everywhere, and that justice will always come to the defense of the weak and oppressed,” it said.

The Kuwaiti couple were sent back to jail after several months of freedom.

Villavende’s case is also expected to be brought up to the Court of Appeals. -- Joahna Lei Casilao/BAP, GMA News