Widow of OFW who died of COVID-19 in UAE seeks help to have husband’s ashes

PALAYAN CITY—The widow of a Filipino worker, who died of COVID-19 in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) is asking for help to bring home her husband’s ashes.

Marife Castro, a resident of the village of Puncan in the town of Carranglan, said the remains of her husband, Richard, had been cremated in the UAE last May 18. His ashes are in a crematorium there, she said.

Richard worked as security guard in the UAE. Last April 29, he consulted a doctor because of persistent fever and was admitted to a hospital last May 3. Last May 11, Marife was told that her husband died past 6 a.m.

According to a report by dwNE, a radio station run by the provincial government, Gov. Aurelio Umali said he would immediately act on Castro’s request.

The provincial government’s Malasakit OFW Help Desk is now coordinating with the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA), the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) and the Philippine Embassy in UAE to have Richard’s ashes sent home, the report said.

Edited by TSB