'15-yr term for Ranara's murderer, add insult to injury'
By Nidz Godino
"Sentence on her murderer is an insult to Jollebee's family, Filipino migrants and all Filipinos seeking justice for her," group Migrante International posted on Facebook on Sept. 15,2023 Overseas Filipino worker (OFW) Jullebee Ranara's 17-year-old murderer has been sentenced to 15 years in prison by court in Kuwait, but MI said sentence is insult to her family and government should push for longer jail time.
"While we recognize that Jullebee's murderer was minor when crime was committed, he should stay in jail longer than 15 years for this gruesome crime," Migrante International chair Joanna Concepcion said in statement.
Concepcion noted government should order Philippine embassy in Kuwait to be more alert and attentive to OFWs' complaints and cries for help.
"They should expand repatriation and other services for distressed OFWs there… should also push for measures that will improve working and living conditions of Filipino domestic workers and OFWs in Kuwait, Philippine government should take serious measures to create decent jobs at home and not depend on foreign investors and countries to provide employment to Filipinos," she said.
Family of Jullebee Ranara, whose charred remains were found in desert in Kuwait early this year, has expressed dismay over length of imprisonment handed down by Kuwaiti court to suspect behind her killing.
Accused, 17-year-old Ayed Al-Azmi, had received relatively short prison sentence of 15 years because he was minor, Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said.
Ranara was raped, murdered and burned by her employer's son. Autopsy later revealed she was pregnant at the time of her death.
"Justice my daughter received is not enough," Norylnda Cabiles, Jullebee Ranara's mother, said in interview.
Cabiles and Jullebee's brother, Mark Reyes, also believed only life imprisonment for accused could bring justice to Ranara, whose death left behind four children.
"Fifteen years… seems too little because she lost her life and what was done to her was too much," Reyes said.
DFA statement said "family of OFW has been informed and is grateful for assistance provided them by government."
Al-Azmi has 30 days to appeal judgment to Kuwait's Court of First Instance, DFA said.
In statement, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. commended Philippine Embassy in Kuwait, Department of Migrant Workers, and Kuwaiti Authorities for "their continued pursuit of justice" for Ranara.
FMJ said… "we hope appeal process will be conducted fairly, and justice will be served accordingly."
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