Two Filipinos found dead in Dubai

Mariecar Jara-Puyod, Senior Reporter

Two Filipino nationals were found dead in Dubai late last week, according to the Philippine Embassy in Abu Dhabi.

In coordination with the Philippine Consulate General in Dubai, the Philippine Embassy in Abu Dhabi issued an official statement without providing details on the case, “local law enforcement authorities” are currently investigating.

The official statement was issued since at 10 pm on Saturday, a member of the Batibot Press Club, the informal group of Filipino journalists in the UAE, uploaded over the WhatsApp group chat, a video post over Facebook and through the “Kaagapay OFW,” loosely translated as “Standing Side By Side With Overseas Filipino Workers” Pages of Bong Concha, the plea from the wife of one of the victims to the Philippine diplomatic and consular missions in the UAE, to help solve the case and render justice to her husband.

Meanwhile, it was dawn of July 28 (Thursday) when Gulf Today received the following from the Messenger in Filipino: “Is it true that a countryman was killed in International City?”

The message was forwarded to Consul General in Dubai and the Northern Emirates Renato Duenas Jr. who replied the Philippine Consulate General “would check.”

On Saturday evening, after having been furnished with the Kaagapay OFW video clip, Duenas replied: “The Consulate is aware of this case and is in communication with the widow of the victim. Case is still under investigation.”

From the video, the wife who had sought help from the Tacloban City, Leyte Province (Eastern Visayas) branch of the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration, said her late husband was found dead at 11 p.m. of July 27 (Wednesday) with another Filipino whose gender was not mentioned. Both had slashes on their necks.

The official statement of the Philippine Embassy in Abu Dhabi:

“The Philippine Embassy in Abu Dhabi conveys its deep condolences to the family of two Overseas Filipinos found lifeless in Dubai last week and sends its assurance that we will ensure that justice would be served. The Philippine Consulate General in Dubai is in coordination with local law enforcement authorities who are currently conducting an investigation on the matter.

As of the moment, UAE authorities are unable to provide details regarding the ongoing investigation. Likewise, the Consulate and the OWWA Office in Dubai have gotten in touch with the family, reassuring them that the Philippine Government shall provide necessary assistance as they grieve the loss of their loved ones.”