Slovakian government promises justice for slain OFW — DFA

The Slovakian government has assured the family of the slain overseas Filipino worker (OFW) in Bratislava that the suspects will face justice, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said.

“The Philippines expresses its appreciation to Prime Minister Peter Pelligrini for assuring us that justice will be served for the death of our kababayan Henry John Acorda,” DFA Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano said in a statement on Thursday, after learning that the Slovakian leader has expressed outrage over the incident.

The Philippine Embassy in Vienna said that Prime Minister Pelligrini has denounced the killing of Acorda, calling it a “bad signal” for their society.

“We also thank the people of Slovakia for standing in grief and solidarity with us over this tragedy,” Cayetano added.

According to DFA, Ambassador Ma. Cleofe Natividad went to Bratislava on Wednesday to convey Cayetano’s condolences to Acorda’s relatives.

Natividad also assured the family that the embassy will extend all possible assistance, including the repatriation of Acorda’s remains.

Acorda, a financial analyst for a multinational company based in the Slovakian capital, died on May 31 after he was mauled by a local, identified as Hiraj Hossu, 28 years old.

Natividad said that Acorda was with a Filipina and a female Polish national along Obchodna Street when Hossu harassed his female companions. As Acorda defended the women, Hossu knocked him to the ground and kicked him violently in the head.

Acorda lost consciousness afterwards but closed circuit television footages showed Hossu kept punching and kicking the OFW even as he laid motionless on the road.

The ambassador said that Hossu is currently in custody and has been charged with manslaughter.  /vvp