DMW Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac. Photo: Department of Migrant Workers/Facebook 

MANILA, Philippines – The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) said the Philippine government will provide the best legal defense for the Overseas Filipina Worker (OFW) in Kuwait who allegedly placed an 18-month old Kuwaiti baby inside a washing machine in her employer’s household causing its eventual death. 

This was assured by DMW Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac now that the embattled OFW’s case is already under prosecution. 

“It is a matter that has already reached prosecution, it is under Kuwaiti courts,” he told ANC’s Headstart Thursday. 

“She is entitled to a legal defense so we have our lawyer on hand as well to provide legal assistance to the OFW and once again we’re hoping for the best defense that we can put up for our OFW in this particular case,” he said. 

Mentally unstable? 

Over the weekend, the DMW and the Philippine Embassy in Kuwait have both issued a statement saying this is an isolated case and does not at all reflect the overall values of OFWs who are widely recognized for their caring nature. 

This is why assessing the mental state of the involved OFW is among the priorities of her lawyers. 

“That is something that our lawyers in Kuwait are definitely looking into. The legal defense will be firmed up as days unfold but yes this is something our lawyers in Kuwait are looking into, definitely,” Cacdac said. 

The incident came months after Kuwait lifted its visa ban on OFWs in June as a result of an agreement resuming the recruitment of domestic workers.

The ban imposed in May 2023 was a result of the death of OFW Jullebee Ranara, whose burned body was discovered buried in the desert on Jan. 21, 2023 after being murdered by her employer’s son.