Filipina killed by acid burning in KSA identified

Philippine officials in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) have identified the woman who died from acid burns and stabbing injuries last week, even as they prepare to repatriate her remains. Labor Attaché David Des Dicang, head of the Philippine Overseas Labor Office-Eastern Region Operations (POLO-ERO), identified the woman as Romilyn Eroy-Ibañez, 22. "We have been following up daily with the police station the status of the investigation of the case. We thank the officials for their cooperation," Dicang said in an article posted Wednesday on Saudi-based news site Arab News. He said Ibañez hailed from North Cotabato province in Mindanao, and arrived in Saudi Arabia last May 31. Dicang said they expect a police investigation report to be ready by Saturday. If needed, he said, the POLO-ERO will push for criminal charges against the culprit or culprits, he said. In an initial report to the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) in Manila, the Embassy said Ibañez had knife wounds in her neck, abdomen and wrist as well as acid burns in her mouth area, arms and legs. "Reportedly, an almost empty container of sulfuric acid was taken from the scene," it said in its report. The Red Crescent took Ibañez to the King Fahd Hospital in Alkhobar after she was found in the kitchen at her employer's residence. According to the DFA, it has asked the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) to suspend the license of the Philippine agency, PRA Solidworks Manpower Resources & Promotion, which recruited Ibañez. A POLO-ERO investigation showed Ibañez was sent by the agency "supposedly as a nursing aide, only to find herself working as a household worker." The DFA-Office of the Undersecretary of Migrant Workers Affairs (OUMWA) is also coordinating with the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration for the repatriation of the victim's remains. — LBG, GMANews.TV