Bodies of Filipino migrant workers killed in ‘freak accident’ return home

The body of a 50-year-old Filipino migrant worker who was killed in a car crash in Singapore finally arrived in her home in Caba town in the northern Philippines on Jan. 2.

The family of Arlyn Nocus received her remains, which landed at Clark International Airport, north of Manila, a couple of hours before midnight on Jan. 1.

Nocus was one of the two Filipino women killed after a car rammed through a metal railing outside a shopping mall where the victims were having a picnic on Dec. 29, 2019.

Abigail Leste, 41, also died in the incident while four others were critically injured including Nocus’ 56-year-old sister, Arceli.

Alice Nocus, the victim’s younger sibling, said they have sought the help of the Philippine government to be able to visit Arceli, who is still recovering in the hospital, after Arlyn’s funeral.

“Our sister was the primary breadwinner of the family. She worked in Singapore for 30 years, more than half of her life. She didn’t marry to help us,” said Alice.

On the night of Jan. 2, Leste’s remains were also brought back to the country. 

The country’s Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) has vowed to provide assistance and support to the affected Filipino migrant workers and their families.

OWWA head Hans Leo Cacdac said, “We must give tribute to the deceased for her sacrifices as an overseas Filipino worker for 30 years in Singapore to support her family.”

The Filipino community and her employer in Singapore held a public viewing of the victim’s remains before being flown back to the Philippines on the same day.

The head of the Episcopal Commission on Migrants and Itinerant Peoples of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines expressed his sympathies with the affected Filipino migrant workers and their families.

Balanga Bishop Ruperto Santos said the tragedy “shows the perilous and fragile journey, sacrificial conditions of our overseas Filipino workers.”

“Sadness and sorrows during this Yuletide season. Tragedy struck to those whose dreams were to give happiness and a better future to their loved ones,” Bishop Santos told LiCAS.news in a text message.

The prelate said they “appreciate the immediate help and assistance of our embassy staff.” He also appealed that “justice is served and the guilty be lawfully persecuted.”

“We offer our prayers and holy Masses for their eternal rest. We implore our good Lord to grant strength to those who were left behind,” said the prelate.

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