By Rey Panaligan Justice Secretary Menardo I. Guevarra said on Sunday, January 12, that “there were clear indications” that slain overseas Filipino worker (OFW) Jeanelyn Villavende was sexually abused. Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra (TOTO LOZANO / PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO / FILE PHOTO / MANILA BULLETIN) “There were also old healed wounds indicating that Villavende had been battered weeks prior to the fateful incident,” Guevarra said, citing the results of an autopsy done by the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI). The body of Villavende was autopsied by the chief of the NBI medico-legal division, Dr. Ricardo Rodaje, last Friday in Cotabato. Guevarra said the NBI’s formal report on the autopsy will be submitted to him on Monday, January 13. Guevarra had earlier ordered the NBI to conduct an autopsy “so we can have our own independent findings.” A preliminary report submitted by Labor Attache Nasser Mustafa stated that Villavende was beaten to death and was already dead when she was brought to a hospital in Kuwait. “As to Villavende, the NBI will do its own autopsy even as the DOJ (Department of Justice) examines any possible liability on the part of Villavende’s recruiter,” Guevarra said. He had earlier directed the NBI to conduct a probe on Villavende’s recruiter. Guevarra said the Philippine government will assist the Kuwaiti government in investigating Villavende’s death. “As to the crime itself, the Kuwaiti authorities have exclusive jurisdiction but we could provide any legal assistance that they may need, such as providing documents, affidavits of family members, autopsy report, email, text messages, photographs, among other things,” he stressed. On Villavende’s unpaid salaries, Guevarra said the matter will be handled by the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE). He assured that the DOJ will cooperate fully with the DOLE in the investigation. Villavende’s body arrived on Wednesday and was brought to Cotabato last Thursday. READ MORE: Remains of OFW Jeanelyn Villavende to be brought to Gensan Labor Secretary Silvestre H. Bello III, who visited Villavende’s wake and condoled with the relatives, said a total deployment ban for Filipino workers to Kuwait will be enforced depending on the outcome of the NBI’s autopsy. A partial deployment ban had been imposed by the government after Villavende’s death last December 30. A published report stated that Bello had met with the NBI official who conducted the autopsy. The same report stated that Bello could not contain his emotions over what was told him about the autopsy. He was quoted as having said: “What they did was worse. Jeanelyn was gravely abused.” READ MORE: Bello vows justice for slain OFW