OFW remains arrive from Kuwait

The remains of an overseas Filipino worker who died after falling from a building in Kuwait were repatriated today.

Juvy Montesoso was a receptionist at the Tala Tower Fintas Hotel in Kuwait and was found dead last August 5 after falling from the 8th floor of the building. Kuwaiti authorities have ruled out foul play but Montesoso's family and friends working in Kuwait uttered disbelief that she was capable of taking her own life.

The remains were transported to Manila at 4:30 pm today via Qatar Air Cargo QR646. Rochelle and Raul Constantino, sister and brother-in-law of the deceased, accompanied by Sen. Manny Villar, were at the MIASCOR cargo center to receive the body.

Villar learned the case of Montesoso in his visit to Cebu City last month for the Global CSR Summit. Her sister, Rochelle Constantino, met Villar at a radio station there.

Montesoso started working in Kuwait as a domestic helper in 2008. After which, she became a receptionist at the Tala Tower Fintas Hotel of the same country. Last August, her family received the unfortunate news of her demise. According to reports, on August 5 at 9 am, Montesoso jumped to her death from the 8th floor of the building.

"Hindi po kami naniniwala na magpapakamatay siya. Nagpadala pa siya ng pera para sa anak niya at nag-usap pa kami nung gabi," Constantino tearfully told Villar.

Constantino added her sister's friends in Kuwait saw Montesoso with her boyfriend, a member of the US military, the night before her death. A cousin, Gerlie Bolo, who is also working in Kuwait said Montesoso's body was found with no blood stains.

Villar assured Constantino that he will help repatriate the remains of her sister and will help in the education of the 6-year-old daughter she left behind.

Villar wrote the Philippine ambassador to Kuwait, Shulan Primavera, and pushed for an investigation to determine the true cause of the death of Montesoso and requested assistance for the immediate repatriation of the remains.

Primavera informed Villar that a doctor at Kuwait's General Department of Criminal Evidence performed the autopsy and found no trace of foul play.

"While there are lingering questions on the death of Juvy, we appreciate the help of our embassy officials in Kuwait for facilitating the repatriation of the remains. We hope they will continue to look after the welfare of our workers abroad and to make sure this will not happen again to a kababayan," Villar said.

Montesoso's body will be flown to Butuan tomorrow (September 21) via Philippine Airlines Flight PR 477 at 10:50 AM.