A grieving family in Iloilo City is calling for justice and government assistance following the tragic discovery of their loved one in Abu Dhabi. The Overseas Filipino Worker (OFW), who had been working in the United Arab Emirates for nearly two decades, was recently found lifeless in her accommodation, sparking concerns of foul play among her relatives back home.
According to a report by from Bombo Radyo, the victim, identified as Mary Jill Dela Cerna Muya from the Jaro district, has become the center of a heartbreaking plea for repatriation. Her family is currently reaching out to government agencies, hoping to bring her remains back to the Philippines despite the complexities surrounding her employment status.
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Disputing the Cause of Death
Initial reports suggested that authorities were treating the case as a suicide. However, Muya’s family has vehemently rejected this conclusion after viewing photos of the scene that circulated online.
According to interviews given by her former partner to local media in Iloilo, the images depicted disturbing details that do not align with a self-inflicted death. The family pointed out several inconsistencies that have led them to suspect foul play:
- The victim’s mouth appeared to be covered.
- A ligature was observed around her neck.
- Her feet were reportedly touching the floor.
- Unexplained marks were visible on one of her hands.
These observation have fueled the family’s belief that there is more to the incident than the initial findings suggest, prompting them to call for a deeper investigation into how she died.
Years Abroad as an Undocumented Worker
Adding to the difficulty of the situation is Muya’s immigration status. Relatives disclosed that she had been working in the UAE for almost 20 years, but at the time of her passing, she was undocumented—a status known within the Filipino community as “TNT” (Tago ng Tago).
Without a permanent contract, she reportedly supported herself by taking on irregular jobs, such as assisting with catering services during special events. Her irregular status often complicates the process of repatriation and accessing immediate government assistance, making the family’s appeal to the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) and the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) even more urgent.
A Silent Christmas and a Plea for Help
The alarm was first raised when Muya failed to communicate with her children during the recent Christmas holidays. For a mother who had spent so long abroad, this sudden silence was highly uncharacteristic and caused immediate worry among her kin.
Now, faced with limited contacts in the Emirates and the financial burden of repatriation, the family is appealing to both national agencies and the Iloilo City Government. Their primary goal is to secure the necessary support to transport her body home, ensuring she can be laid to rest in her province, regardless of the legal challenges posed by her documentation status.