CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY—Prior to her death, Dafnie Nacalaban had promised to return home last Christmas for a reunion with her 14-year-old daughter, her sister, and relatives in Barangay Dansolihon—her place of origin before she left for Kuwait to work as an Overseas Filipino Worker (OFW).

Michael Roxanne Nacalaban Linsahan, the victim's sister, said they regularly communicated through another OFW, who is also a resident of their barangay, and who updated her about their working conditions abroad.

However, the family lost contact with Dafnie and was shocked to learn on New Year’s Day that her decomposing body had been found in the backyard of her employer in Kuwait.

“When we asked her when she was returning, she told us that she would surprise us in December. That was the last time we had contact with her,” Linsahan said in the local dialect during an interview with Magnum Radyo 99.9 on Saturday.

The surprise, however, turned into a tragedy for their family.

Linsahan said that during their last contact in May 2024, her sister did not mention any problems with her work and was excited to return home for a family reunion with her 14-year-old daughter, who is now living and studying in Zamboanga del Sur with the victim’s partner, who is working there.

Linsahan, along with the victim's daughter and father, want her remains to be buried in Zamboanga del Sur, but Linsahan insisted that the burial take place in Barangay Dansolihon, her place of origin.

Mayor Rolando “Klarex” Uy said the city government will provide assistance to the victim’s relatives as soon as her remains arrive in the city.

"The city government will provide all the necessary help for the family," Uy said in a statement.

Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) Secretary Hans Cacdac, however, earlier said it may take time for the remains to be brought back to the Philippines due to the ongoing criminal investigation in Kuwait.