The Philippine Embassy in the United Arab Emirates has confirmed that the case involving an Ilongga overseas Filipino worker who was found dead in Abu Dhabi is now under the care of the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA), according to information obtained by Bombo Radyo Iloilo.
The confirmation was contained in a written reply sent by Philippine Ambassador to the UAE Alfonso Ver to Iloilo City Lone District Representative Julienne “Jamjam” Baronda, who sought official clarification on the status of the case and assistance for the family.
In the letter dated January 2, the embassy said OWWA in Abu Dhabi has already taken over coordination related to the death of Mary Jill Dela Cerna Muya, a native of Jaro, Iloilo City, who was reported to have died in the UAE.
“We wish to respectfully inform that the case of the late Ms. Muya is currently being handled by the Migrant Workers Office Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) in Abu Dhabi,” the embassy stated in its response.
The embassy further explained that the processing of repatriation remains dependent on a formal document from local authorities. “According to OWWA-Abu Dhabi, they are waiting for the issuance of the death notification from the Baniyas Central Mortuary for the late Ms. Muya. OWWA-Abu Dhabi has also reached out to the next-of-kin and is closely coordinating with them for the early repatriation of her remains,” the letter added.
Baronda earlier wrote to officials of the Department of Migrant Workers on January 1, requesting government intervention both to assist the bereaved family and to ensure that the circumstances surrounding the Ilongga OFW’s death would be examined.
Prior to the embassy’s response, the family had sought help through Bombo Radyo Iloilo, appealing for assistance in bringing Muya’s remains back to the Philippines.
Relatives have publicly raised doubts about the initial claim that the death was a suicide, citing details they said were observed on the body, including a ligature on the neck, an apparent gag in the mouth, feet reportedly touching the floor, and marks seen on one of the hands.
The family also disclosed that Muya was allegedly undocumented at the time of her death and did not have a regular employer, moving from one job to another. They said she had previously told her child about financial difficulties, but the child maintained that this did not align with her character and rejected the idea that she would have taken her own life.
