OWWA condemns mauling of 2-year-old son of OFW

The Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (Owwa) on Monday assured that it would provide financial assistance, as well as counseling, to the mother of the two-year-old boy allegedly mauled to death by his guardian parents in Davao City.

“We are outraged about the fatal mauling of the two-year-old son of an OFW in Calinan, Davao City,” said Owwa chief Hans Leo Cacdac in a statement.

Erlinda Cagalitan, the child’s mother, works as a cashier in Bahrain.

According to Cacdac, Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III also directed Owwa to engage the Department of Social Welfare and Development, Department of Justice and other child rights advocacy groups, to protect children of OFWs from crimes and abuse.

“We will also coordinate with all local government efforts to help and protect children of OFWs,” Cacdac added.

According to reports, the toddler was beaten to death by guardians Sarah Jane Alcain and husband Ronilo, who got angry after the child urinated in his pants.

Alcain and Ronilo are currently detained for child abuse.

President Duterte on Thursday said the victim’s ordeal was also being experienced by many children who are entrusted to relatives so that their parents can work.

He said he would discuss the matter with the Department of Social Welfare and Development after he returns from the APEC Summit in Lima, Peru.