Gov’t appealing Ranara killer’s sentence

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Friday said he hoped the appeal process for the convicted killer of of an overseas Filipino worker in Kuwait would be conducted fairly so justice may be served.

The  burned body of 35-year-old overseas Filipino worker Jullebee Ranara was found in the desert in Salmi, Al-Jahra Governorate in Kuwait, last January. The 17-year-old son of her employer was arrested and convicted of her murder earlier this month. He was sentenced to 15 years in prison.

The killer was meted out a lesser penalty because he was a minor, the Department of Foreign Affairs said. He has 30 days to appeal the judgment to the Kuwait Court of First Instance.

"We hope the appeal process will be conducted fairly, and justice will be served accordingly," said Marcos  in a statement posted on X (formerly Twitter).

"I commend the Philippine Embassy in Kuwait, the Department of Migrant Workers, and the Kuwaiti authorities for their continued pursuit of justice for our OFW, Jullebee Ranara," Marcos said.

"Their legacy serves as a reminder of our duty to protect and support our fellow countrymen, regardless of where in the world they may be," he added.

Meanwhile, Ranara's family called for a more severe punishment for her murderer, saying the killer should spend the rest of his life in prison.