President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. commended the Philippine Embassy in Kuwait, the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW), and the Kuwaiti authorities on Friday for their continued pursuit of justice after a Kuwaiti court convicted the killer of Jullebee Ranara, an overseas Filipino worker who was raped and murdered early this year.

“I commend the Philippine Embassy in Kuwait, the Department of Migrant Workers, and the Kuwaiti Authorities for their continued pursuit of justice for our OFW, Jullebee Ranara. We hope that the appeal process will be conducted fairly, and justice will be served accordingly,” President Marcos said in a message posted on social media.

“I take comfort in thinking that Toots (the late DMW Secretary Susan “Toots” Ople) and Jullebee are looking down from heaven with smiles. Their legacy serves as a reminder of our duty to protect and support our fellow countrymen, regardless of where in the world they may be.”

A Kuwaiti court convicted 17-year-old Turki Ayed Al-Azmi to 15 years in prison for Ranara’s killing and one more year for driving without a license.

Ranara was raped, murdered and burned by her employer’s son. Her charred remains was found in a desert on January 21 with her head smashed. She was also found pregnant at the time of her death, based on the autopsy.

Ranara’s killing created public clamor to review the deployment of Filipino migrant workers to the emirate, especially with previous cases of abuses and maltreatment of OFWs. PND