Filipina falls to death in UAE: Embassy appoints lawyer to pursue case

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Jean Balag-ey Alberto, Philippines, Filipina dies in UAE

Abu Dhabi - She had arrived in the UAE three months back through the help of her sister.

By Angel Tesorero

Published: Thu 17 Oct 2019, 12:47 PM

Last updated: Sat 19 Oct 2019, 9:47 AM

The daughter of a Filipina domestic worker is seeking answer in the mysterious death of her mother, who died in Abu Dhabi after allegedly falling off a building on October 2.
Rohjean Balag-ey Alberto, 24, told Khaleej Times she sensed foul play in the death of her 44-year-old mother, Mary Jean Balag-ey Alberto.
"I was told by my mother's employer that she fell from the 13th floor of the building where she worked. But there was a barrier that was almost neck-high and my mother could not just easily fall down," Rohjean told Khaleej Times on Thursday.
The full statement

'On the Death of OFW Mary Jean Balag-ey Alberto
The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) grieves with the family of the late OFW, Ms. Mary Jean Balag-ey Alberto, who died in Abu Dhabi on 2 October 2019.
"The Department shall respond appropriately once the results of the forensic investigation is released," said Foreign Affairs Undersecretary for Migrant Workers Affairs Sarah Lou Y. Arriola.
The DFA, through the Office of the Undersecretary for Migrant Workers Affairs (OUMWA) and the Philippine Embassy in Abu Dhabi, is already in coordination with the family of Ms. Alberto and assured them that the Department is closely monitoring the case.
To ensure that justice is served, Embassy representatives assisted the daughter of Ms. Alberto in a case conference with the concerned UAE authorities.
The Embassy has also retained a lawyer to immediately pursue legal steps in connection with the death of Ms. Alberto.
The Department is extending all assistance necessary in the immediate resolution of the case, as well as in retrieving Ms. Alberto's personal belongings and in the repatriation of her remains to the Philippines.'

Rohjean said she already received the death certificate on Wednesday but the cause of Mary Jean's death was not mentioned. The case is under police investigation.
"The Philippine Embassy has given me a lawyer and I already signed an SPA (special power of attorney) to allow the Philippine authorities to handle my mother's case," Rohjean said.
Meanwhile, the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) has issued a statement on the death of the Abu Dhabi resident and Filipina domestic worker.
"The Department shall respond appropriately once the results of the forensic investigation are released," DFA undersecretary for Migrant Workers Affairs Sarah Lou Y. Arriola said.
"The DFA, through the Office of the Undersecretary for Migrant Workers Affairs (OUMWA) and the Philippine Embassy in Abu Dhabi, is already in coordination with the family of Ms. Alberto and assured them that the Department is closely monitoring the case," she added.
"To ensure that justice is served, embassy representatives assisted the daughter of Ms. Alberto in a case conference with the concerned UAE authorities. Through the coordination of the Embassy with the UAE authorities, all the personal belongings of Ms. Alberto have also been officially handed over to her daughter," the DFA added.
The Embassy now retains a lawyer to pursue immediate legal steps in connection with the death of Mary Jean. The DFA is extending all assistance necessary in the immediate resolution of the case, as well as in the repatriation of Ms. Alberto's remains to the Philippines," the statement added.
angel@khaleejtimes.com