The main suspect in the slay of overseas Filipina worker (OFW) Joanna Demafelis would not be extradited to Kuwait to stand trial, Malacañang has announced.
In a video interview with reporters, Palace spokesperson Harry Roque said Demafelis’ case was among the issues discussed during the meeting of Philippine officials with Kuwaiti authorities.
“We had a long discussion. Na-apprehend na raw yung Lebanese na lalaki and the Lebanese authorities will try him in Lebanon,” Roque said.
He, however, said both Philippine and Kuwaiti officials will be present during the trial of Nader Essam Assaf, OFW Demafelis’ Lebanese employer and primary suspect in the crime.
“They will not extradite him to (Kuwait) but there will be a trial in Lebanon and it would be participated in by Kuwait authorities as well as Philippine authorities,” he added.
Roque assured the public that developments in Demafelis’ case will be closely monitored by both the Philippine and Kuwaiti governments.
“It was not as if hindi sila [Kuwait] nabahala. It was headline news also in Kuwait and they could understand humanity,” Roque said.
“Everyone in Kuwait was equally shocked by the incident on Joanna Demafelis,” he added.
In February, the body of Demafelis was found inside a freezer in an abandoned apartment in Kuwait.
Assaf and his Syrian wife were declared as primary suspects in the crime. They were apprehended in Damascus following Interpol’s manhunt.
Assaf was brought back to Lebanon while his Syrian wife stayed in Damascus.
Last month, a Kuwaiti court sentenced the couple to death by hanging for the murder of the Filipina worker.
