The body of an Overseas Filipino Worker (OFW) who was found dead in her home in Belgium is finally home.
Vice President Jejomar C. Binay said the remains of Milagros Villarin arrived in the Philippines on October 28 via Etihad Airways flight 424.
Binay said the case of Villarin was brought to his attention while he was in Brussels, Belgium to represent President Benigno Aquino III to the 2012 European Development Days.
The Vice President immediately directed the Philippine embassy in Belgium to assist in the repatriation of the body. He added that since Villarin was not a member of the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA), he needed to ask OWWA Administrator Carmelita S. Dimzon to cover the cost of the body’s repatriation.
“Nais ko pong ipaabot ang aking pakikiramay sa mga naulila ni Ginang Villarin,” Binay said
“Nais ko rin pong pasalamatan ang lahat ng ahensya ng ating pamahalaan na nagtulungan para mapauwi ang kanyang labi,” he added.
According to the Office of the Undersecretary for Migrant and Workers Affairs, a police report from Brussels showed that Villarin died of natural causes on October 13. The report also ruled out foul play and added that Villarin was not taking her prescribed medication to fight her breast cancer and high blood pressure.
A funeral home picked up the remains from the airport and delivered them to Mayor Raul Gonzales of Victoria, Laguna. Mayor Gonzales, in turn, sent the body to the OFW’s relatives in Purok I Brgy. Masapang Victoria, Laguna.
From January to September of this year, the Office of the Vice President had assisted in the repatriation of 74 OFWs and in bringing home the bodies of 14 OFWs who died abroad.
