MANILA — The Philippine government is investigating the potential foul play surrounding the death of overseas Filipino worker Jenny Alvarado in Kuwait, with authorities casting doubt on initial reports of her cause of death.
Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac revealed Friday that the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) is conducting a thorough autopsy to determine the exact circumstances of Alvarado’s demise, after her remains returned to the Philippines Thursday night.
While her employer claims Alvarado died from coal suffocation due to workplace heating system smoke, Cacdac expressed skepticism. “The death certificate lists ‘cardiac arrest,’ which is typically a generic entry,” he told reporters at the Kapihan sa Manila Hotel forum. “We need to dig deeper to uncover the truth.”
The absence of an initial autopsy in Kuwait has intensified suspicions, prompting the Philippine government to launch its own comprehensive investigation. The NBI will specifically examine potential organ damage that might confirm or refute the coal suffocation narrative.
Adding complexity to the case, a bizarre administrative error emerged involving the repatriation of an incorrectly labeled cadaver. The Department of Migrant Workers is investigating the service provider responsible for this grave mistake.
“The possibility of foul play is always present,” Cacdac stated, signaling the government’s commitment to a rigorous probe. Potential legal action against the employer and service provider remains under consideration.
Expected autopsy results this weekend could provide critical insights into Alvarado’s mysterious death, offering her family some measure of clarity and potential justice.
The case highlights ongoing concerns about the safety and treatment of overseas Filipino workers in the Middle East, a region where thousands seek employment annually under challenging conditions.
