The remains of Henry John Acorda, the 36-year-old financial analyst in Slovakia who was fatally mauled for defending two Filipinas from harassment, arrived home Tuesday morning.
The Airbus 319 aircraft from the Slovak Government Flying Service took off from Bratislava at noontime on Monday and landed in Manila at about 10:30 am Tuesday.
On board, the aircraft were Philippine Ambassador to Austria Ma. Cleofe Natividad and Acorda’s mother and siblings. With them was a representative of the Slovak Ministry of Interior.
Acorda’s casket was met by his family in Manila and officials of the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), including Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano and Undersecretary Sarah Lou Arriola.
Acorda died of injuries after a local man beat him when he tried to protect two Filipinas from harassment. The suspect, now in jail, has been charged with manslaughter.
The OFW’s death has enraged Slovaks with no less than Prime Minister Peter Pelligrini condemning the incident and assuring that justice will be served.
In an interview, Cayetano said assistance from the Philippine government will be extended to Acorda’s family.
“We cannot bring him back (but) the DFA and the OWWA [Overseas Workers Welfare Administration] will provide help,” he said in Filipino.
“How can a young man at the age of 36 would die in an instant and vanish in the world,” Cayetano said. “His heroism makes us proud to be a Filipino because we are willing to stake our lives to protect others even on distant shores.”
Cayetano said if an OFW center in Taguig will rise, he would recommend naming it after the slain Acorda.
“I personally will recommend naming after him the OFW center because he is someone that we should emulate,” he said.
Acorda will be laid to rest at the Heritage Park on Saturday.