The Overseas Workers Welfare Administration has committed to bringing home the remains of an overseas Filipino worker who was found dead in Abu Dhabi, subject to the completion of host-country requirements, according to a report from the Philippine News Agency (PNA).
OWWA Administrator Patricia Yvonne Caunan told reporters in Pasay City that the case involves Mary Jill Dela Cerna Muya, 44, a resident of Barangay Cubay in Iloilo City, who was discovered inside her room in Abu Dhabi on Dec. 31, 2025. Caunan said the process cannot proceed immediately because official clearances are required.
“Merong imbestigasyon pang mangyayari. So may mga clearances pa tayong kailangan makuha from the host government. And once na ma-clear ito, hindi na tayo mag-hesitate to repatriate dahil syempre ‘yung pamilya is nag-aantay rin dito (There’s an investigation that needs to happen. So we still need to obtain some clearances from the host government. And once this is cleared, we won’t hesitate to repatriate because, of course, the family is also waiting here),” she said.
Caunan stressed that OWWA stands with Muya’s relatives as authorities determine the circumstances of her death. “But importante siguro, ma-emphasize na ang pamilya sumisigaw ng hustisya at ang OWWA ay sumusuporta dito sa kanilang quest for justice (But it’s important to emphasize that the family is crying out for justice and the OWWA supports them in their quest for justice),” she added.
The welfare agency said it is coordinating with the Department of Migrant Workers, the Migrant Workers Office, and the Philippine Embassy in the United Arab Emirates to address the case. Earlier advisories from the embassy indicated that the Migrant Workers Office is managing the matter while awaiting a death notification from the Baniyas Central Mortuary.
Caunan also said OWWA welfare officers have been in regular contact with the family, who are seeking a thorough inquiry. “Sa ngayon, regularly nakakausap na ng OWWA welfare officers natin sa region ‘yung pamilya ni OFW Muya, and ang concern talaga nila is maimbestigahan ng mabuti itong nangyari dahil sabi nga nila nakausap pa nila ‘yung kanilang ina (For now, our OWWA welfare officers in the region are regularly talking to the family of OFW Muya, and their main concern is that this incident be thoroughly investigated because, as they said, they were still able to speak with their mother, and they have doubts about whether it’s a suicide case).”
OWWA records show that Muya began working in the UAE in 2011 and last renewed her OWWA membership in 2022, with her employment listed as a filing clerk.
