A family from Barangay Mantic in Tangub City is now appealing for urgent government assistance following the sudden death of their loved one, an overseas Filipino worker (OFW) employed as a domestic helper in Kuwait.
The victim was identified as Kristine Kaye Pabotoy, whose unexpected death has left her family devastated and searching for answers amid limited information surrounding the circumstances of her passing.
According to posts shared online by Kristine’s mother, Judith P. Valmores, the family learned about the tragedy after they were informed that Kristine was allegedly found lifeless inside her room early in the morning.
The grieving mother made an emotional appeal for help to immediately repatriate her daughter’s remains back to the Philippines.
“Dili nako mahulagway ang kangitngit ug kasakit nga nagputos sa among dughan karon. Ang akong anak, si Kristine Kaye Pabotoy, nga milarga sa Kuwait nga puno sa mga damgo ug paglaum para kanamo, mitaliwan na sa laing kalibutan,” Valmores wrote.
She said the family’s only wish now is to bring Kristine home and give her a proper burial.
“Gusto lang nako siyang makita, magakos, ug mahatagan og desente nga haya sa katapusang higayon,” she added.
A close friend of the victim, Rowena Balos Nacion, also expressed shock over the incident, saying they were stunned upon learning of Kristine’s sudden death.
As of the latest information, the family has yet to receive complete details regarding what exactly happened to the OFW.
Local authorities and concerned agencies have reportedly begun coordinating efforts for assistance. The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) office in Tangub has already coordinated with the Public Employment Service Office (PESO) in Misamis Occidental to facilitate communication with the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) for possible repatriation and other necessary interventions.
In a separate emotional appeal directed to broadcaster and senator-elect Raffy Tulfo, Valmores pleaded for urgent help to speed up the return of her daughter’s remains.
“Ang bugtong hangyo sa akong nagdugo nga kasingkasing mao ang makauli na dayon ang iyang lawas. Dili mi mahimutang, dili mi kakatulog, ug sige lang mi og hilak samtang wala pa siya dinhi,” the mother said.
Risks and Challenges Faced by OFWs Abroad
The tragic case once again highlights the difficult and often dangerous conditions faced by many OFWs, particularly domestic workers deployed in the Middle East.
Thousands of Filipinos leave the country each year hoping to provide a better future for their families, but many encounter risks including excessive working hours, physical and emotional abuse, unpaid salaries, contract substitution, poor living conditions, mental health struggles, and limited access to legal protection.
Domestic helpers are considered among the most vulnerable sectors because many work inside private homes where labor conditions are difficult to monitor. In some cases, workers become isolated from the outside world, with restricted communication and limited mobility.
Mental and emotional stress also remain major concerns among OFWs who endure homesickness, pressure to financially support relatives, cultural differences, and fear of losing employment.
Over the years, several cases involving deaths, abuse, and mysterious circumstances surrounding OFWs in foreign countries have prompted calls for stronger labor protections, stricter monitoring of recruitment agencies, and improved government response mechanisms for distressed workers abroad.
Advocates continue to urge authorities to strengthen bilateral agreements with host countries to ensure the safety, dignity, and welfare of Filipino migrant workers.
As Kristine Kaye Pabotoy’s family waits for answers and for the return of her remains, relatives and supporters continue to call for compassion, transparency, and swift government action to help bring the young OFW home to her grieving family.