ShareKUWAIT: The Philippine Embassy in Kuwait condemned the horrific crime committed by a Filipino domestic worker, who killed a baby by placing him in a washing machine at his family’s home in Mubarak Al-Kabeer governorate.
The embassy issued a statement emphasizing that the incident does not reflect the character of the Filipino community. “This isolated incident does not reflect the hard work, reliability, and positive contributions of Filipinos in Kuwait,” the statement read.
The embassy also noted that it is cooperating with the Kuwaiti authorities in the investigation and is providing assistance to the detained Filipino domestic worker, in accordance with Kuwaiti law and the embassy’s mandate.
The incident comes just three months after Kuwait received the first batch of Filipino domestic workers following nearly a year and half long ban over labor rights disputes. The ban itself had been a response to prior incidents, including the tragic murder of Jullebee Ranara in January 2023 and previous cases of abuse and mistreatment.
Mariam Macapudi, president of the Filipino Association of Secretaries of Employment Agencies in Kuwait (Fil-Aseak) and Founder of Bayaning Filipino Migrant Workers (BFMW) in Kuwait, condemned the act as a heinous crime, saying, “Such an act is unacceptable. The worker has to pay the price for her evil actions. Justice must be served to the innocent child.”
Macapudi expressed her sorrow and outrage. “I am deeply saddened by what has happened and cannot believe that a fellow Filipino could do such a thing. As Filipinos, we are known for our resilience and patience. This is a lesson learned for everyone; if you have a problem in the Philippines, do not bring it here abroad, and do not make it a habit to vent your anger on others, especially on innocent children.” The incident has not only shocked the Filipino community but also raised concerns about its potential impact on the reputation of Filipino domestic workers in Kuwait. Many workers fear this case could lead to unfair generalizations about their community.
