MANILA – The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) has appealed to the government on Wednesday, crying for justice for domestic worker Marjorette Garcia, who was reportedly killed in Saudi Arabia.
“Justice must be served. Her death should not be in vain. We appeal to our government offices to exhaust all means to prosecute the killers,” Bishop Ruperto Santos, vice president of the CBCP-Episcopal Commission on Migrants and Itinerant People (ECMI), said in a text message sent to Philippine News Agency.
Santos recognized the sacrifices of Garcia to provide the needs of her family.
“It is so sad, very tragic. A precious life is lost, together with her noble and worthy dreams for her family. She came with sacrificial intentions to better and brighter future for loved ones. And she was true and faithful with her works,” Santos added.
The Antipolo bishop said they would offer prayers and Masses for the OFW’s eternal rest, as well as pray for the Lord to provide her family strength and healing.
On Tuesday, the Department of Foreign Affairs reported that a murder suspect is now under the custody of Saudi Arabia authorities and an investigation is underway.
The 32-year-old OFW Garcia died at the hospital where she was brought by the police shortly after she was found bleeding due to stab wounds.
The Department of Migrant Workers said she has been working in Saudi since 2021.
DFA said that the suspect in Garcia’s killing had been arrested, noting that the suspect was neither a Filipino nor her employer.
“It was not an employer who murdered our compatriot. As far as we know, they know each other or are like co-workers,” said DFA Assistant Secretary Paul Cortes added.
Officials said they were still awaiting initial investigation results so they could release additional details, Cortes said.
The DMW is already working for the immediate return of Garcia’s remains in the Philippines.
The agency also said its office in Al-Khobar, Saudi and the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration were coordinating with the Philippine Embassy and the Saudi police to determine the “circumstances behind Garcia’s death.
Senator Risa Hontiveros has filed Senate Resolution 817 asking for an inquiry designed to bring justice to Garcia’s family.
The lawmaker added they wanted that women migrant workers, who are often subjected to extensive violence, are protected and safeguarded.
“There must be strong mechanisms to provide comprehensive assistance and sustainable protection to OFWs, particularly women migrant workers, throughout the whole process, from the recruitment to repatriation,” Hontiveros stressed. (Marlon Luistro)
