Remains of Filipina murdered in Kuwait arrives in Philippines

The remains of Jullebee Ranara arrive in the Philippines on January 27, 2023.

PHOTO BY YUMMIE DINGDING

Remains of Filipina murdered in Kuwait arrives in Philippines

The remains of Jullebee Ranara, a Filipina murdered in Kuwait, have arrived in the Philippines.

Ranara’s remains arrived in a wooden box on Emirates Airline flight EK 334 that landed at PAIR PAGS Cargo in Pasay City on Friday night (January 27).

The remains will undergo a new autopsy conducted by the National Bureau of Investigation, said Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) Secretary Susan Ople.

Ople said Ranara’s wake will start on Sunday (January 29). A two-week vigil is expected.

Ranara, a 34-year-old household worker, was found dead in Kuwait. Her charred remains were discovered in a desert on January 21.

Kuwait media reported that she was pregnant and subjected to blunt-force trauma. An autopsy report in Kuwait revealed she was raped, and had fractures to her skull, face and jaw.

Kuwaiti authorities have arrested the 17-year-old son of her employer on murder charges.

Murder of Jullebee Ranara in Kuwait sends shockwave

Ranara’s gruesome death has sent shockwaves, particularly in Kuwait where more than 268,000 Filipinos live.

Kuwait’s Ambassador to the Philippines Musaed Saleh Al-Thwaikh said on Friday that Kuwaiti society was “shocked and saddened” by the incident.

“Our justice system will not lose sight in ensuring justice for Mrs. Ranara,” he wrote in a letter addressed to DMW Secretary Ople. “We assure you that such an incident is an isolated case.”

Ople said Philippine authorities will work with Kuwait to introduce better screening and accreditation for employers.

In 2018 and 2020, the Philippines banned worker deployment to Kuwait after murder cases. Both bans have since been lifted.

Meanwhile, Ople has vowed to support the family of Ranara after her death. The Filipina left behind a husband and their four children.

“According to the husband, they would like the wake scheduled for two weeks to give time for relatives and friends who are in the province to pay their respect,” Ople said. ICA/Expat Media

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