APARRI, Cagayan - The family of an overseas Filipino worker (OFW) who was killed in a freak accident in Singapore has sought government help in bringing the remains of their kin, and for charges to be filed against the elderly driver.
Abigail Leste, a 41-year old OFW, was killed in a car crash in front of a mall in Singapore over the weekend.
Abigail's mother Lilia Somera said the government must file charges against the still-unnamed driver over the death of her daughter.
"Kailangang pagbayaran niya ang nangyari sa kaniya kasi ang alam namin over speeding... so sana mabigyan sila ng katarungan," she said.
(The suspect needs to pay for the crime because we thought he was overspeeding... We hope justice will be served.)
"Sa nangyari, wala na kami ganang maghanda-handa pa. Sino pa may ganang maghanda e nagluluksa kami?" Somera added.
(We are not in the mood to ring in the new year after what happened. Who wants to prepare a feast when you're mourning?)
Leste had been working as an OFW in Singapore for 15 years. Last weekend, a car slammed into her and 5 other Filipinos who were hanging out at the Lucky Plaza Mall, a popular shopping center for locals and tourists.
The family of 2 other OFW victims said they are very dismayed over the incident that led to the tragic death of 50-year-old Arlyn Nucos, and also placed her sister, 56-year-old Arceli Nucos in critical condition.
"Masakit talaga... Lalong lalo nung nakita ko na ganun ang nangyari sa kapatid ko. Talagang humahagulgol ako sa iyak," their brother Reynalod Nucos told ABS-CBN News in a separate interview.
(It is really painful... Especially when we saw what happened. I really sobbed and cried.)
"Tuwing nagbabasa ako ng mga message nila talagang deep in my heart talagang masama din ang loob ko," he said.
(When we read messages, deep in my heart, I feel really dismayed about what happened.)
"Bakit ganun ang nangyari sa kanila? Sila ay tumutulong sa kapwa nila, maasahan mo lahat ng bagay," he said of his sisters who have been working in the city state for 30 years.
(Why would that happen to them? They were helpful people who others could depend on.)
Arlyn's remains is expected to be brought back to her hometown in La Union on Wednesday, while Arceli is still confined in a hospital in Singapore.
Leste's children, Jeffrey and Jackielyne, have been asking officials to hasten their mother's repatriation.
"Gusto lang namin mapadali pag-uwi niya kasi gustung-gusto na namin siya makita," Jeffrey said.
(We just want her repatriation to be hastened because we really want to see her again.)
Singaporean Foreign Affairs Minister Vivian Balakrishnan earlier said their government is "working closely with the Philippine Embassy in Singapore to help the families involved."
- report from Darlene Gemino and Michelle Soriano, ABS-CBN News