The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) performed an autopsy on the body of overseas Filipino worker (OFW) Jenny Sanchez Alvarado at 11 a.m. on Friday, following her repatriation from Kuwait, as confirmed by Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) Secretary Hans Cacdac during a Kapihan event at the Manila Hotel.
Alvarado’s remains arrived in the Philippines on Thursday at around 5:20 p.m., aboard Kuwait Airways flight KU 417.
Kuwaiti authorities had initially attributed Alvarado’s death, along with that of two other co-workers, to coal suffocation, listing cardiac arrest as the cause of death on the official death certificate.
However, Cacdac stressed that officials are seeking further validation of the cause.
“The employer claims coal suffocation, but we need to confirm that. I reviewed the death certificate, and it stated cardiac arrest, which is a standard entry on many death certificates. We need to investigate further,” Cacdac stated.
While some have raised concerns over the lack of an autopsy in Kuwait, Cacdac assured the public that it was not a cause for concern.
“It’s actually fine because the autopsy here involves an intact body that hasn’t been tampered with. For my part, I believe nothing is lost by not having the autopsy done there, as this gives the NBI the opportunity to examine the body firsthand.”
Further complications have emerged surrounding the handling of Alvarado’s remains during repatriation.
Cacdac revealed that a DMW representative should have been present to verify the identity of the remains, but a Kuwaiti-based service provider stated in a letter that while Alvarado’s name was listed on the tag, they could not confirm her identity.
The letter also indicated that no relatives were present for verification, which led to the shipment of the remains to the Philippines.
“The letter is something we are reviewing because the proper procedure should have been for them to summon us,” Cacdac explained.
The autopsy results are expected to be available by Friday or Saturday.
Meanwhile, the DMW is also looking into the potential liability of Alvarado’s employer, after her remains were discovered alongside two other domestic workers at the employer’s vacation house.
“We have our Kuwaiti lawyer reviewing the case with the possibility of taking legal action if the findings under Kuwaiti law suggest employer liability,” Cacdac added.