The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said Tuesday, July 18, there was no foul play in the death of an overseas Filipino worker (OFW) whose body was found floating near a pier in Hong Kong.
This was based on the “circumstance” surrounding the victim’s death as based on initial investigation, DFA Assistant Secretary Paul Cortes. But the agency added that it will still have to wait for the final results of the ongoing probe.
“For now, wala naman (there's no) pong foul play, wala naman pong (there's no) person of interest,” Cortes said in a Laging Handa briefing.
“All we need is final confirmation from Hong Kong authorities,” he added.
On July 13, passersby at the Tsing Yi Public Pier saw the body of the victim, who was a household helper, in a decomposing state and trapped in a waterway.
The DFA refused to give details about the victim’s identity and the cause of death as Cortes said the family requested for privacy.
The victim’s remains will be repatriated as soon as Hong Kong authorities concluded their investigation and released the necessary documents.
The victim’s local and foreign recruitment agencies are also already coordinating with the family for financial assistance and for the unpaid salaries, Cortes added.