Ex-HK OFW dies on arrival in Albania, relatives ask help with repat

 

Alma used to work as an OFW in Hong Kong

The family of a Filipina former domestic worker in Hong Kong who died on arrival in Albania last month from a reported heart attack is calling on the Philippine government for help in bringing her body home.

Alma Mariñas Francisco, 49, was reportedly recruited to work in Albania by an employment agency based in Dubai. But on arrival in Albania from Hong Kong on September 5, she collapsed and was taken straight to a hospital where she was declared dead.

In a Facebook post by Ma Josaphel Belotindos, who said she’s a partner of Alma’s son VJ Allen Mariñas Francisco, the Department of Migrant Workers, Department of Foreign Affairs and the Philippine Embassy with jurisdiction over Albania, were all urged to help in bringing home the remains of the late overseas Filipino worker (OFW).

Pindutin para sa detalye

“Napakasakit pong tanggapin ang pagkawala ng aming ina. Mas lalo pong mabigat sa aming pamilya ang patuloy na paghihintay dahil hanggang ngayon ay hindi pa rin namin siya naiuuwi sa ating sariling bayan upang mabigyan ng marangal na huling pamamaalam,” said Josaphel.

(It pains us to accept the loss of our mother. But the pain is made worse by having to wait this long just so we could bring her back home, and give her a fitting farewell).

 

Alma posted this photo on Facebook on her birthday in April last year

Josaphel said their family still has to be informed of the events that happened before Alma’s passing. They do not have any information about her supposed employer,  and all other details pertaining to her employment in Albania.

“Nalaman din po namin na maaaring hindi siya rehistrado o dokumentadong OFW sa Albania, dahil hindi niya naibahagi nang lubusan sa aming pamilya ang kanyang mga plano at paglalakbay,”  she added. 

“Dahil dito, hindi po namin alam kung kanino at saan kami dapat lumapit upang matiyak ang maayos at agarang pagpapauwi sa kanyang labi.” 

(We learned that she might not have been a registered or documented OFW in Albania, as she did not fully disclose to our family her travel and other plans. Because of this, we do not know who to ask or approach for help to ensure a proper and fast repatriation of her remains.”

Basahin ang detalye!

Josaphel added: “Mahigit isang buwan na po kaming naghihintay. Mahigit isang buwan na rin po kaming nagdadalamhati at umaasang makakauwi na ang aking ina.” (We have waited for more than a month. We have been mourning and hoping all this time that our mother could finally go home.” 

The appeal for help in repatriating Alma’s remains echoes the problems encountered by the family of another HK OFW who died also last month while awaiting her deportation back to the Philippines after her application for asylum was rejected by the High Court. 

Lina D. Realiza who had worked as an OFW for 23 years, also died from cardiac arrest on September 22, and her children also issued a similar appeal for help in getting her remains shipped to their hometown in Pangasinan. Ultimately, it was her friends in Hong Kong, notably those from the Muslim community, who pitched in to pay the HK$42,000 bill for her repatriation. 

The incident prompted several Filipino community leaders, notably Eman Villanueva of Bayan Hong Kong and Macau, to hit out at the government for failing to act with haste in repatriating the remains of Lina. 

Villanueva cited several laws, including RA10022 or the so-called Magna Carta of Labor, that provides that “if an OFW becomes undocumented (irregular), the Philippine government will fully shoulder the cost of repatriating their remains.” 

He said that even the more recent Department Order 02/2025 of the DMW which specifies the use of its Aksyon Fund provides that the burial or cremation and/or shipment of the remains of an undocumented OFW can be funded from the Fund.

(Alma’s family is appealing for help in funding the repatriation and burial of her remains. Donations may be sent to the following accounts: Gcash number 09544234146 in the nameof VJ Allen Francisco and BPI Bank Account Number 0716204857  in the name of Ma Josaphel Belotindos)