Pinoy worker stabbed dead in Iran

A Filipino worker holding an Iranian tourist visa was stabbed dead July 1 in a reported altercation with foreign nationals on Kish Island, the Philippine Embassy in Iran confirmed. Consul General Rosario Lemque told GMANews.TV over the phone that victim Marcus (not his real name), 24, from Bicutan in Taguig City, was confirmed killed in a stabbing incident, even as Iranian authorities have yet to send them a police report. “A Filipina worker in Khatam Hotel called the Embassy on July 3 to inform us that a fellow Filipino who was staying in the hotel was killed," Lemque said. She said reports are still sketchy, with unconfirmed reports that the suspects were Sudanese or Chad nationals. In separate information obtained from migrants’ rights group Migrante-Middle East, Marcus went to Iran on June 11 this year on tourist visa, while waiting for an entry visa to the United Arab Emirates where he intended to look for a job. Migrante regional coordinator John Leonard Monterona said that, according to reports from other Filipinos who witnessed the incident, Marcus was challenged by a Sudanese to a fistfight which he ignored, until the suspect hit him several times forcing him to fight back in defense. Another Sudanese reportedly joined the fight, pulled a knife and stabbed Marcus in the chest. The victim was rushed to a hospital in Kish but was declared dead on arrival around 8 p.m. on July 1. Meanwhile, Lemque said Marcus’ remains was brought to a morgue in Tehran, but have yet to be autopsied pending authorization from the victim’s family or, if that cannot be secured, from the Embassy. “We have already asked assistance from the DFA (Department of Foreign Affairs) to get in touch with the victim’s family in General Santos City," she said. Lemque added they have also talked to the victim’s aunt, also a worker in the UAE, who said they are unable to shoulder the costs of the autopsy and repatriation of Marcus’ remains. According to Lemque, the autopsy alone, as required in Iran in cases of crimes, may cost as much as US$1,000, while repatriation costs are much higher. “Because he is a tourist, he does not have an employer who is supposed to shoulder all these through insurance," she explained. A number of documents, such as police and autopsy reports and an embalming certificate, will have to be issued and translated to English before the Embassy can issue the mortuary certificate for Marcus’ body to be brought back to Manila, Lemque added. This is the first time that a Filipino tourist was killed in Iran in recent times, according to Lemque, and they will have to first request for funds from the DFA if the family is unable to shoulder the costs of repatriation. “We are calling on the DFA and OWWA to provide the family the needed financial assistance due him as an OFW. The RP post must also ensure that the culprits are sent to jail and appropriately charged," Monterona meanwhile said. The DFA’s Office of the Undersecretary for Migrant Workers Affairs could not be reached for comment as of posting time. Marcus left behind a wife and two children, the youngest being only six months old, according to Monterona.—JV, GMANews.TV