The family of slain overseas Filipina worker (OFW) Joanna Demafelis is decided to push death sentence by hanging to employers and main suspects in the untimely death of the OFW.
As per Kuwaiti law, the suspects may be freed of death penalty if the family of the victim decides to forgive them or receive “blood money” based on both party’s agreement.
Demafelis’ parents Eva and Crisanto Demafelis, however, said they will not receive blood money from the suspects.
“Kinuha nila ‘yong buhay ng anak ko, siyempre buhay rin nila ang kapalit,” Eva told ABS-CBN News.
“Bakit, naawa ba sila sa anak ko? Aba, wala silang awa e wala rin akong awa sa kanila,” said Crisanto.
The couple also said they wish to fly to Kuwait to talk to the OFW’s employers – Nader Essam Assaf, a Lebanese national, and his wife Mona Hassoun, a Syrian national – to hear their explanation.
“Magsasalita ako sa kanya, ang bait bait ng anak ko, bakit nila ginanyan [pinatay] ‘yung anak ko,” Eva told ABS-CBN News.
“Mahirap pa ring tanggapin ‘yong ginawa sa anak ko.”
On April 1, a Kuwaiti court sentenced death by hanging to employers and main suspects in the death of Joanna Demafelis.
The court released the decision during the first hearing of the case under a Kuwaiti court.
The couple, can still appeal for their case if they will return to Kuwait, a source told Agence France-Presse.
The body of Demafelis was discovered stuffed inside a freezer in an abandoned apartment in Kuwait early February.
Autopsy showed the OFW suffered repeated beatings which resulted to a broken rib, trauma, and internal bleeding.
