Senators have called on the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) to assert the need for a thorough and impartial probe into the death of Marvil Facturan-Kocjančič, a Filipino migrant, who was reportedly beaten and stabbed to death by her husband.
“I condemn in the strongest possible terms the reported killing of a Filipina by her Slovenian husband. I call on the Department of Foreign Affairs and embassies concerned to extend the necessary support to the family of Marvil Facturan-Kocjančič,” Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian said in a statement.
“The DFA should assert the need for a thorough and impartial investigation in coordination with the Slovenian government to ensure that the perpetrator is held accountable and brought to justice,” the senator stressed.
“Buong puso tayong nakikiramay sa pamilya at mga mahal sa buhay ng biktima (We wholeheartedly sympathize with the victim's family and loved ones),” the lawmaker added.
In a separate statement, Sen. Imee Marcos, head of the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, also condemned the murder of Marvil who arrived in Slovenia on Dec. 22, 2024 to be with her husband.
Reports indicated that the murder took place last Dec. 29, 2024 only a week after Marvil joined her husband, Mitja Kocjancic, a weight loss motivational speaker.
The couple were reportedly on a holiday in Bled, Slovenia when the incident happened.
“Domestic violence has no place in a civilized society. The Philippines must never tolerate incidence of domestic violence, here and abroad,” Marcos said.
“I, therefore, call on the Department of Foreign Affairs, the Commission on Filipinos Overseas, and all the other relevant government agencies to see to it that justice prevails and that the necessary assistance is given to the family of Marvil Facturan—Kocjančič during this difficult time,” she said.
At the same time, Marcos urged the Department of Justice (DOJ), the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), the Philippine National Police (PNP), and allgovernment agencies to intensify their efforts in quelling violence against women and children and other forms of domestic violence.