Story By: Lee Bullen, Sub Editor: Joseph Golder,Agency: Central European News
A Philippine official has sparked anger in Kuwait after suggesting “there will be blood” in response to a Filipino maid being sexually abused and murdered by her employers in the small Persian Gulf country.
Philippine Foreign Affairs Secretary Teddy Locsin Jr said that he rejects the offer of “blood money” in the case of Filipino maid Jeanelyn Villavende, according to reports.
He wrote: “There will be blood @DFAPHL (Department of Foreign Affairs, Republic of the Philippines) for Jeanelyn Villavende. I renounce and reject any offer of blood money for her torture/murder. I want two lives for the life they took.”
He added that the lawyer managing the case is not authorised to “suggest or accept blood money from her killers”.
Kuwait officials slammed the message as a “rejected transgression”, sparking tension between the two countries, according to local media.
A Kuwaiti Foreign Ministry spokesperson said: “Kuwait expresses dismay and denunciation of this statement that includes a rejected transgression on the powers of the security and judicial authorities in the country.”
The statement added that the official’s comments contradict the “simplest rules of international relations” and apparently intend to influence the ongoing investigation.
Kuwaiti police have reportedly arrested the Filipino maid’s employers in connection with her death last month.
Local media said that an autopsy in the Philippines showed that Villavende had been sexually abused before being murdered.
Her body was found in her employers’ freezer, according to reports.
In response to the allegations, the Philippines banned sending hired workers to the small Persian Gulf state.
As a result of the ban, Kuwaiti recruitment firms complained last week that they are finding it difficult to recruit housekeepers.
The investigation continues.
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