A congressional leader on Thursday lauded the Kuwaiti Court of Appeals for affirming the conviction of the perpetrator responsible for the death of overseas Filipino worker Jullebee Ranara, representing a significant milestone in the pursuit of justice for her and her grieving family.
Kabayan Rep. Ron Salo, chair of the House committee on overseas workers affairs, thanked the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW), Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), and embassy officials, including the Ambassador and Labor Attache in Kuwait, for their contributions to this outcome.
“This decision is a testament to the collaborative efforts of both the Philippine and Kuwaiti authorities in ensuring that justice prevails for Jullebee Ranara,” Salo said in a statement.
“The Philippine government remains steadfast in its commitment to protecting the rights and welfare of our OFWs. We will continue to work tirelessly to ensure that those who perpetrate violence against our overseas workers are brought to justice,” he added.
Ranara is a 35-year-old household worker whose burnt body was found in a desert in Kuwait in January 2023. Her killer was the 17-year-old son of her employer, who was arrested within 24 hours of the discovery of her corpse and has confessed to the crime.
Salo also extended his appreciation to the Kuwaiti Government for upholding the rights of OFWs within its jurisdiction.
“We commend the Kuwaiti government for its unwavering dedication to justice and its strong stance against the violation of OFWs’ rights. This conviction sends a powerful message that perpetrators of violence against OFWs will be held accountable for their actions,” said Salo.
In light of the Kuwaiti Court’s decision and Kuwait’s demonstrated commitment to justice and in upholding the rights of OFWs, Salo supports the call for the lifting of the deployment ban in Kuwait.
“The conviction in Jullebee Ranara’s case underscores Kuwait’s commitment to serving justice and safeguarding the rights of our OFWs. We believe that lifting the deployment ban is warranted as a recognition of Kuwait’s efforts to address concerns regarding the welfare and safety of OFWs,” he stressed.
“We hope to put a closure on this tragic incident that strained the diplomatic relationship of our countries, and move forward in giving our people more employment opportunities and in ensuring better protection while working in Kuwait,” he added.